Arvind Kejriwal in ED custody, first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested- Top points

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Mar 21, 2024: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Thursday arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. He is the first sitting Chief Minister in Independent India to be arrested.

 

The development came hours after the Delhi High Court refused interim relief to the AAP supremo in connection with the Enforcement Directorate summonses issued to him in the liquor policy case.

In the evening, Enforcement Directorate officials arrived at Kejriwal’s Civil Lines residence to serve him summons. The probe agency conducted searches at his residence and recorded the Chief Minister’s statement under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Here’s all you that happened:

1. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court refused to grant any interim protection from coercive action to Arvind Kejriwal against Enforcement Directorate summonses issued to him in the Delhi excise policy case.

The court listed the Chief Minister’s application seeking protection for further consideration on April 22 when his main petition challenging the summons was fixed for hearing.

2. Hours after the Court’s order, a team of Enforcement Directorate reached the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence in Civil Lines.

3. The probe team conducted handed over the tenth summons to Kejriwal and questioned him inside his residence.

The probe team also conducted searches at the Chief Minister’s home.

4. Soon, several AAP leaders and workers flocked outside Kejriwal’s home and argued that they were being denied entry into the residence.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said that ED officials are inside Kejriwal’s house and no one is allowed to enter. "Delhi CM’s house has been raided. It seems there is preparation to arrest the Chief Minister," Bhardwaj said.

5. Heavy police deployment was done outside the Chief Minister’s home and the police also imposed Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits the assembly of four or more people, in the area.

6. Later, AAP leaders confirmed that Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested and will be taken to the Enforcement Directorate office.

After Kejriwal’s arrest, the AAP issued a statement, saying that they had moved the Supreme Court to quash his arrest and asked for an urgent hearing by tonight.

7. Arvind Kejriwal is the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested in India. While leaders such as Lalu Yadav, Jayalalithaa, and Hemant Soren were also arrested while they were the chief ministers of their respective states, they resigned before they were taken into custody by probe agencies.

Courtesy: India Today