Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the liquor policy case on Thursday, 21 March. A 12-member team from the ED descended upon Kejriwal’s official residence armed with a search warrant, leading to his apprehension.
This arrest follows the Delhi High Court’s refusal to provide Kejriwal protection from arrest earlier today in the liquor policy case. Despite legal challenges and vehement denials of wrongdoing, Kejriwal now finds himself in custody facing allegations of financial impropriety.
Kejriwal’s defiance of ED summons and insistence on their illegality culminated in this unprecedented development, marking the first instance of a sitting Chief Minister being apprehended. He becomes the latest figure from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to be ensnared in the alleged liquor scam, joining the ranks of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, and AAP leader Vijay Nair, all of whom were previously arrested.
The timeline of ED summonses issued to Kejriwal paints a picture of escalating legal pressure: First Summons: 2nd November 2023; Second Summons: 21st December 2023; Third Summons: 3rd January 2024; Fourth Summons: 18th January 2024; Fifth Summons: 2nd February 2024; Sixth Summons: 19th February 2024; Seventh Summons: 26th February 2024; Eighth Summons: 4th March 2024; Ninth Summons: 21st March 2024.
Arvind Kejriwal approaches Supreme Court
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court against the ED arrest, Live Law reported.
According to the report, lawyers have sought urgent hearing tonight itself. The response from the SC Registrar is awaited at the time of filing this report.
