The Aam Aadmi Party, which has announced a nationwide protest against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, has invited the I.N.D.I.A. bloc to join it.
Reacting to Kejriwal's arrest, the Congress said the "scared BJP" was creating problems for the Opposition out of panic.
The AAP's Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai gave a call on Thursday for a nationwide protest against the BJP following Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Rai said Kejriwal's arrest is the "murder of democracy" and an "announcement of dictatorship".
Delhi Cabinet minister Atishi has said Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister and run the city government from prison if needed after his arrest by the ED. She also said that the AAP has moved the Supreme Court against the action by the federal agency.
Women shout slogans in support of Kejriwal outside his residence, in New Delhi, Thursday, March 21, 2024.
Police detain an AAP volunteer during a protest against the arrest of Kejriwal in Mumbai, Thursday, March 21, 2024.
AAP workers stage a protest against the arrest of Kejriwal, in Kochi, Thursday, March 21, 2024.
Police detain an AAP volunteer during a protest in support of Kejriwal outside his residence, in New Delhi, Thursday, March 21, 2024.
He will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail. There is no rule that stops him from running the government from jail.Delhi minister Atishi after Kejriwal's arrest in excise policy case
"You will arrest Arvind Kejriwal but how will you arrest his thinking...Arvind Kejriwal is not a person but an idea and we stand with our leader like a rock...Inquilab Zindabad," Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on X (formerly Twitter).
“It has happened for the first time in the history of Indian democracy, that a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested by the central government. It has happened for the first time that a national convener of a national party has been arrested after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. It’s totally clear that the arrest of the (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal is a political conspiracy of BJP," Delhi minister Atishi was quoted as telling news agency PTI.
"I call upon to take Suo Moto cognizance on what has happened... What has happened is violative of the spirit of democracy... The court has every right to take imminent action against anything that has a material effect on the elections... This is fundamentally violative of the political rights of every Indian citizen... At 11 am, there will be a march to the Raj Bhavan..."
(ANI)
Kejriwal's arrest has posed a leadership crisis question before the AAP as well as the Delhi government, with his wife Sunita Kejriwal and cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj being talked about as his possible replacement.
The challenge before the AAP now is to come up with a worthy leader who could handle both the party and its government in Delhi in absence of Kejriwal.
However, it's indeed a big task for the AAP leadership to come up with a name of a leader that at least comes closer to Kejriwal's stature as convener of the party since its inception in 2012 and holding the Delhi Chief Minister's post for three terms spanning nearly a decade.
The decade-long rivalry between the AAP led by Arvind Kejriwal and the BJP ruling at the Centre reached a crescendo on Thursday with the arrest of the Delhi chief minister by the ED in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.
The tussle between the two sides began with their almost simultaneous rise to power with the BJP led by Narendra Modi receiving a massive mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the AAP forming the government in Delhi with a historic victory a year later by winning 67 assembly seats out of 70.
“I came here to meet the family of Arvind Kejriwal but they have been house arrested. No body is allowed to come and meet them. No one knows how are they, what’s their condition from last night," AAP leader Gopal Rai was quoted as telling by news agency PTI.
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was a "blot" on democracy, and shows the ruling party's "remarkable degree of nervousness".
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said his party stands with Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party. "Aisi Taisi Democracy. For all the talk of 400+ seats, the ruling dispensation is displaying a remarkable degree of nervousness. Having a sitting opposition CM arrested by a pliable central agency within days of the general elections being announced is a blot on democracy," Abdullah said in a post on X.
Security has been beefed up outside Kejriwal's residence amid AAP's call for nationwide protest against ED action. The police are also keeping a vigil outside the AAP office in Delhi. In the meantime, AAP leader Gopal Rai has alleged that Kejriwal's family has been put under house arrest, and nobody is being allowed to meet them. As AAP stares at a leadership crisis with its leader being arrested, all eyes will be on Supreme Court, which will take up kejriwal's plea seeking protection from arrest today.
On ED arresting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Union Minister Anurag Thakur says, "... They are saying that Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from the jail. This is an insult to the people of Delhi, law and democracy... It is unfortunate that a political party that spoke about the corruption of the Congress, and demanded the arrest of Sonia Gandhi, has refused to appear before the ED even after 9 summons. Why did have to remain away from the investigation... All of them are exposed in this liquor scam..."
(ANI)
We have especially addressed the security concerns around the court... Section 144 is imposed on DD Marg because it is not a designated protest site. Section 144 is imposed because there are a lot of vital offices here...DCP Central M Harsh Vardhan on security arrangements in Delhi after Kejriwal's arrest
The arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has put forth serious questions for democracy. He has become first such CM in India's history who didn't consider stepping down despite being arrested.BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to be produced before a special PMLA court by the ED on Friday for obtaining his remand for custodial interrogation in the money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22, officials said.
Thanks for keeping up with DH so far as we bring you latest updates from Kejriwal's dramatic arrest. In the meantime, readers can also follow live updates on Supreme Court hearing over K Ponmudy's re-induction into Tamil Nadu government here.
As ED makes the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in relation to the excise policy case, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says, "It's quite evident now, everybody knows it... A serving Chief Minister (Arvind Kejriwal), where was he running away?...By arresting him, they showed the repercussions of joining the I.N.D.I.A. bloc. I have a question on timing. Firstly- yesterday, in the Supreme Court, the State Bank Of India (SBI) said that they have provided all the details of electoral bonds...Secondly, for the first time, Gujarat's throne is swinging after Congress and AAP's decision to fight together in the state...The people of this country cannot witness the atrocities for always; the public silently shows its power during the ballot..."
I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds...Social activist Anna Hazare
The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 marks another low in the annals of Indian democracy.
It would be wrong to say that this takes another step forward in the weaponisation of law-enforcement agencies, because they have already been fatally compromised; but it does signal the determination of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to tilt the playing field in its favour in every manner possible.
"I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity. It's outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy.
Today, our I.N.D.I.A. bloc will meet the EC to express our strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the MCC period."
AAP workers raise slogans during a protest at ITO against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi on Friday.
AAP workers stage a protest against the arrest of their leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate, in front of the BJP office in Hyderabad.
Police personnel detain AAP supporters during a protest over the arrest of their party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate, in Surat, on Friday
AAP workers being detained by the police during their protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal in Jammu on Friday
Reacting to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah told news agency ANI, "The arrest of Kejriwal is only to threaten. There was no evidence to arrest him. I don't know why they have arrested him. It is undemocratic and it shows that this is a dictatorial government."
After producing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal before the Rouse Avenue court following his arrest, the central agency submitted before the court that he (Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy.
"The CM (Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) is the key conspirator and kingpin in demanding kickbacks from liquor businessmen," alleges the Enforcement Directorate while seeking the CM's 10-day custody remand.
Strongly criticising the arrest of the Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that the central agencies are being "used like a weapon".
"The agencies are being used like a tool, like a weapon. Any opposition leader, who raises voice against the atrocities of the BJP, is raided by the ED, CBI and Income Tax. The situation in the country is like undeclared emergency," he told PTI
The Enforcement Directorate Friday said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was a "key conspirator" in the liquor scam case along with other ministers and AAP leaders, as it sought his 10-day custody from a court here.
The ED told Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at the Rouse Avenue court that Kejriwal received several crores of rupees as kickbacks from the 'South group' for formulating and implementing Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
He demanded Rs 100 crore from some accused from 'South group' for contesting the Punjab elections, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, who is appearing for the agency, told the court.
The law officer said the money trail showed that Rs 45 crore "kickback" used in Goa elections came from four hawala routes.
He said the statements of the accused and witnesses have been corroborated by Call Detail Records (CDR).
via PTI
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Arvind Kejriwal opposes the remand plea of the Enforcement Directorate and submits that the first thing they need to show is the necessity to arrest. Power of arrest and necessity of arrest are two different things, adds Singhvi, reports ANI.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced closure of Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station in view of AAP's protest on Friday, officials said.
Earlier in the day, DMRC announced closure of ITO Metro Station from 8 am to 6 pm.
"On advice of Delhi Police, Lok Kalyan Marg Metro station will also remain closed in addition to ITO Metro station till further notice," the DMRC posted on X.
Via PTI
Kejriwal's arrest has sent a good message that law is equal for everyone, BJP Goa President Sadanand Tanavade told PTI.
A PIL has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Chief Minister of Delhi, reports LiveLaw.
"I am astonished. What is going on in this country in the name of democracy? You change the referee before the match by appointing new ECs. You are freezing bank accounts of opponent. Notices have been given in 30-year-old cases. Do proper investigation. If court convicts, then be it PM or anybody else, they should be punished. Arresting before election by hook or by crook is like murder of democracy. Unjust has been done to Arvind Kejriwal. I'm sure people will teach them a lesson," PTI quotes political activist Yogendra Yadav as saying.
Whether I am inside or outside, my life is dedicated to the country," said arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he was produced before Rouse Avenue court by ED following his arrest yesterday.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says that there is no direct evidence. Without there being any material in possession of the Enforcement Directorate on the basis of which Mr Kejriwal can be believed to be guilty of an offence, he is being illegally and arbitrarily arrested by the ED, submits Singhvi before Rouse Avenue court.
Singhvi while concluding his arguments before the Special Judge, requested that please do not look at the remand as a routine. It requires the application of significant judicial mind...there are larger issues of democracy involved, he added.
ED has become judge, jury, executioner: Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer Vikram Chaudhari to court during his remand hearing.
How much weight should be given to an approver's statement can only be a consideration at the time of trial. It can't be argued in a remand application," says ED while opposing Kejriwal's lawyers' submissions raising questions over approvers' statements.
On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the ED, Congress leader Sachin Pilot says, "I have never seen such an action on an elected CM. When the Model Code of Conduct is implemented in the country, going to arrest a CM at night, has been opposed by all... The Election Commission should intervene in this matter."
Delhi Rouse Avenue Court's Special Judge reserves the order on the ED application seeking 10 days custodial remand of CM Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case. The order will be passed shortly.
After meeting the Election Commission, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said, "Almost every opposition party is here. This incident happened late at night (arrest of Delhi CM). We have a detailed discussion with the election commission. This isn't about an individual or any party but it relates to the basic structure of the constitution. When a level playing field is needed for election and you do not let the field be levelled by misusing agencies, it impacts free and fair elections and ultimately democracy. The Election Commission has been given the responsibility and is the police to protect this level field. We asked the Election Commission to interfere. In the history of 75 years of independent India, the first time a sitting CM has been arrested. The account of the grand old and the biggest opposition party has been frozen. We have given evidence of the misuse of agencies against the opposition leaders. We asked if the election commission can change the DGP, secretary then why it does not control these agencies?..."
After meeting the Election Commission, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury says, "The process of election has begun. The model code of conduct is in force; despite that such actions (Arvind Kejriwal's arrest) are being taken, which is destroying the level playing field. Without a level playing field democracy is nothing...The Election Commission keeps control over the police, and the administration then why not on central agencies; they have to think about it."
On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being arrested by the ED, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "This is a politics of revenge. BJP is afraid of the INDIA alliance... This is an attack on democracy and our constitution... There is only one thought in the Prime Minister's mind, 'One Nation No Election'... The entire country is in OPD- One Person Dictatorship."
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs and councillors reached Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in Civil Lines to meet his family on Friday, a day after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.
AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak said, "We have come here to meet his family. They are not being allowed to meet anyone. They have been placed under house arrest. Nobody knows what state they are in."
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AAP to gherao PM's residence on March 26 to register protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, party leader Gopal Rai said on Friday.
"Today the I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders have met the EC and requested for action on this (arrest of Arvind Kejriwal). This year the Holi programme won't take place. On 25 March we will go to people and tell them what is happening in the country. On 26 March whole of Delhi to gherao PM's residence to mark a protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest," ANI quoted Gopal Rai.
Delhi court remands CM Arvind Kejriwal on ED custody till 28 March in excise policy case.
Arvind Kejriwal "took advantage" of being the chief minister of Delhi to facilitate money laundering by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is a "major beneficiary" of the proceeds of crimes generated in the alleged liquor scam case, the ED claimed Friday.
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"BJP wants to contest elections from behind the ED. Is ED a part of the BJP that the party is issuing their press release. To date, no proceeds of crime have been found by the ED against the AAP leaders. Today is a dark day in the history of the Democracy of the country. People of the country are seeing this murder of democracy which has been done today."