Arvind Kejriwal

1. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s CM, was arrested by ED for the Delhi liquor policy case.
2. First sitting CM arrested in Independent India.
3. Delhi HC denies interim protection against the Enforcement Directorate’s summonses.

New Delhi, March 22: Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Chief Minister, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, marking the first instance of a sitting Chief Minister being arrested in Independent India.

The sequence of events unfolded as follows:

  1. The Delhi High Court declined to grant interim protection to Arvind Kejriwal against the Enforcement Directorate’s summonses related to the Delhi excise policy case. The court scheduled further consideration for April 22.
  2. Following the court’s decision, a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrived at Kejriwal’s residence in Civil Lines, North Delhi. They delivered the tenth summons to Kejriwal and conducted questioning and searches at his home.
  3. Meanwhile, AAP leaders and workers gathered outside Kejriwal’s residence, alleging that they were denied entry. Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj expressed concern, suggesting a potential arrest.
  4. Heavy police deployment, along with the imposition of Section 144 of CrPC, which restricts assembly, was observed outside Kejriwal’s home.
  5. Subsequently, AAP leaders confirmed Kejriwal’s arrest, stating that he would be taken to the Enforcement Directorate office. The party moved the Supreme Court seeking to quash his arrest, urging an urgent hearing.
  6. Kejriwal is scheduled to appear before a special PMLA court on Friday, with a likely Supreme Court hearing on his arrest.
  7. Notably, Kejriwal’s arrest sets a precedent as the first sitting Chief Minister to face such circumstances in India. While leaders like Lalu Yadav, Jayalalithaa, and Hemant Soren faced arrest during their tenures, they resigned before custody.
  8. In response to Kejriwal’s arrest, AAP’s Delhi unit called for a nationwide protest against the BJP, denouncing the incident as an affront to democracy and a sign of dictatorship.
  9. Kejriwal was later transported to the Enforcement Directorate office in Central Delhi around 11:25 PM, escorted by ED officers.
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The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal has stirred political repercussions and raised questions about the state of democracy and governance in India.