Delhi CM arrest Highlights: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday claimed that Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal “took advantage” of being CM to facilitate money laundering by his party, which is a “major beneficiary” of the proceeds of crimes generated in the alleged liquor ‘scam’ case.
“Arvind Kejriwal, chief minister of NCT of Delhi is the kingpin and key conspirator of the Delhi Excise scam in collusion with ministers of Delhi government, AAP leaders and other persons,” the federal agency informed a special PMLA court while seeking his custody. It claimed in its remand papers that “Arvind Kejriwal was involved in the conspiracy of formulation of the excise policy 2021-22 to favour certain persons and also involved in the demanding of kickbacks from liquor businessmen in exchange of favours granting in the said policy.”
A day earlier, Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday evening after a 12-member team landed at his Civil Lines residence. This is the first time in India, post Independence, that a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested. The move comes after Kejriwal skipped nine summonses by the central probe agency, calling them “illegal”.
Arvind Kejriwal Highlights: Supreme Court to hear plea against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. AAP workers to take to streets against ED action. Follow Financial Express for all the latest news.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sent to Enforcement Directorate custody till March 28.
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." (ANI)
Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of CM Arvind Kejriwal, expressed that his arrest is a betrayal of the people of Delhi, emphasizing that he has always stood by them.
Police in Kurukshetra, Haryana, use water cannons to disperse AAP workers who were protesting against the arrest of Delhi CM. Watch visuals here:
https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1771134161635701177
"What I had to say, I have said in court," says senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Delhi CM, in response to media queries on the appearance of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Rouse Avenue Court.
BRS MLA Palla Rajeshwara Reddy says the arrest of the CM is politically motivated. “It’s only for the election's sake. They have arrested K Kavitha (BRS MLC) and (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal. It is politically motivated," he said.
"My life is dedicated to the country, whether I am inside (jail) or outside," says Arvind Kejriwal.
AAP MP Sandeep Pathak on the ED arrest of Kejriwal and running the Delhi government from jail.
The Enforcement Directorate counsel read out from the remand papers of BRS MLC K Kavitha, outlining Arvind Kejriwal's role in the alleged scam in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
"Proceeds of crime are not just Rs 100 crores, but the extra profits gained by the companies," the ED said while outlining Kejriwal's role in the scam.
The ED also shed light on the statements of approver Dinesh Arora.
Lok Kalyan Marg Metro station will remain closed in addition to ITO Metro station till further notice, says Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
The Kerala Congress workers, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, held a protest against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case in Thiruvananthapuram.
During the hearing at the Rouse Avenue Court, the ED told the court that the CM is the key conspirator and kingpin in demanding kickbacks from liquor businessmen.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is being represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court while ASG SV Raju is arguing Enforcement Directorate's (ED) case.
Arvind Kejriwal has been produced before the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja. While AM Singhvi is representing Kejriwal, AG Tushar Mehta will appear for the ED.
The Aam Aadmi Party has said that the ED has arrested CM Arvind Kejriwal without any evidence against him and that it reflects the fear the BJP has of Kejriwal. "It is BJP's biggest political mistake to arrest the country's most popular CM. Without any evidence, the national convenor of a national party was arrested unconstitutionally. This clearly means that the central government is afraid of Arvind Kejriwal," says AAP leader Dilip Pandey.
A Delhi court has commenced hearing in the case where Arvind Kejriwal has been produced by the ED a day after his arrest. Kejriwal's lawyers have sought a meeting with Kejriwal before the hearing begins. Time has been granted.
A team of ED officials produced Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal before the ROuse Avenue court in Delhi where the agency is likely to seek a 10-day remand of the sitting Chief Minister. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi is representing Kejriwal. The hearing is set to begin shortly.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai on Friday claimed that the family of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been put under "house arrest."
"I have come here to meet his family but they have been put under house arrest. Under which law am I being stopped from meeting his family?" Rai told reporters, according to ANI. Read more
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal withdraws from Supreme Court his plea against arrest by Enforcement Directorate.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Arvind Kejriwal told the top court that Kejriwal is withdrawing the petition as it is clashing with the remand.
Giving details about the recovery during the search at Arvind Kejriwal's residence, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj underlined the absence of any incriminating evidence, proof, or money trail. He claimed that the probe agency found just Rs 70,000 in cash, which was also returned. Read to know more
On ED arresting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said, "...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..."
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by the Delhi Police at ITO during the party's protest against the arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal.
"...We will state before the Supreme Court that Arvind Kejriwal should be allowed to meet his lawyer and family and also allowed to carry out his official work. Kejriwal's family has been put under house arrest," Bharadwaj said.
Following the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Assembly cancelled the sitting scheduled for Friday. The assembly will now meet at 11 am on March 27.
Kejriwal, the AAP National Convenor was arrested on Thursday evening in a money laundering case related to an alleged liquor policy scam.
"Hon'ble members are hereby informed that the Hon'ble Speaker has directed the sitting of the House scheduled for today i.e. 22 March 2024 stands cancelled," the Deputy Secretary stated.
"Further in pursurance of sub-rule (1) of Rule-17 (Adjournment of the House and procedure for reconvening) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly of National Capital Territory of Delhi, the Hon'ble Speaker has determined that the next sitting of the House shall be held on 27 March 2024 at 11 am," it stated.
Delhi Police on Friday detained AAP leader Atishi amid widespread protests being carried out by party workers over party chief Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.
AAP leader Gopal Rai on Friday claimed that he is not being allowed to meet Arvind Kejriwal's family.
On ED arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, BJP leader Shehzad Poonwalla said, "... AAP leaders are saying that Arvind Kejriwal is not a human, but an ideology... The ideology is that he will be corrupt and when the court takes action, he will call it an atrocity... And play the victim card... I want to ask them, is the court finishing the democracy?... The SC rejected Manish Sisodia's bail. The SC said that there is a money trail of Rs. 338 crore. Sanjay Singh's bail was rejected by the HC. If your teammates have been in jail for more than a year now, has the BJP done it or the Courts have done it?.. Your BFF Congress found you drowned in the Liquor scam..."
On ED arresting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, "Arvind Kejriwal was involved in liquor policy case. His leaders are in jail... If agencies are arresting you, it means you have done a scam that’s why ED has taken this step."
Earlier on Thursday, Kejriwal had moved the Delhi HC to get protection from any "coercive action" by the ED, however, the court refused to grant the Delhi CM any protection.