Arvind Kejriwal News: The ED has taken the Delhi Chief Minister to its office.
New Delhi: A 12-member team of the Enforcement Directorate reached Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence with a search warrant in the excise policy case. The Delhi Chief Minister has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. Mr Kejriwal has become the first sitting chief minister to be arrested in the history of Independent India and his party has said he will continue to hold the post.
The Enforcement Directorate's action comes hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection from arrest to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. The Delhi Chief Minister had challenged the ED summons to him for questioning over alleged money.
He repeatedly refused to appear before the ED, calling the summons by the central agency illegal.
Here are the Highlights on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest:
"Stop Doing Politics By Making ED A Weapon": Delhi Minister Atishi
"Neither CBI nor ED found a single penny in the two-year investigation, but as soon as the elections were announced, Arvind Kejriwal was arrested," Delhi Minister Atishi said.
"Two Chief Ministers were arrested, a party's account was seized. Stop doing politics by making ED a weapon, our fight will go on from the streets to the court," she added. "We have filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the arrest. There is a hearing in the Supreme Court tomorrow morning," Atishi said.
"If Anyone Dares To Speak Against BJP, They'll Be Arrested": Delhi Minister Gopal Rai
"After a long sacrifice, this country got a constitution and it gave the right to elect public representatives. But today the entire country is shocked that despite the case being pending in the court, Modi ji has arrested the CM elected with a huge majority," Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said.
"Today it has been announced that if anyone dares to speak against BJP and its government, he will be arrested. Today BJP has insulted crores of people. This is the arrest of two crore people of Delhi, those who love the democracy of the country have been arrested," he added.
"If BJP thinks that by arresting Arvind Kejriwal they will destroy AAP and scare the opposition, then they are wrong. Everyone will fight this battle together. We have decided that we will protest against this arrest at the BJP headquarters tomorrow at 10 am," the minister announced.
"India Is Under An Undeclared Emergency": AAP MP Raghav Chadha
"Stand Firmly With Delhi Government": Tejashwi Yadav
"The arrest of Delhi CM Arvind clearly shows that the BJP does not want to face its opponents in the polls in a democratic manner. It wants to hide behind and lean heavily on investigating agencies and constitutional bodies", the Tejashwi Yadav wrote on X.
He added, "The NDA has torn to shreds the established norms of behaviour in a constitutional, democratic polity. The nation is in a state of undeclared emergency".
The RJD leader, whose party is a constituent of the INDIA bloc, like Mr Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, asserted, "We stand firmly with the popular government elected by the people of Delhi. As we all had declared at INDIA bloc's meetings in Patna and Mumbai, we are not the ones to be cowed down. We always fight back".
AAP has called for a nationwide protest outside BJP offices against Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by ED, said Delhi minister Gopal Rai.
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested News LIVE: "Strongly Condemn The Unlawful Arrest Of Arvind Kejriwal": KTR
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE Updates:
Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital's doctor will conduct his medical examination in the ED office, after that he will be kept in the probe agency's custody.
Arvind Kejriwal Taken Out Of His Home By Enforcement Directorate Officials After Arrest
Arvind Kejriwal has been taken out of his home by the Enforcement Directorate officials after the arrest. The probe agency will take the Chief Minister to its headquarters. The Delhi Police have put up a heavy deployment anticipating a large gathering of AAP workers. The police have started detaining party workers and the police have stepped up security outside the probe agency's headquarters too.
Arvind Kejriwal is the first serving chief minister since independence to be arrested. Unprecedented political scenes unfolded hours after the High Court denied interim relief to Arvind Kejriwal after he skipped summons by the probe agency several times in the liquor policy case. The AAP had anticipated the Chief Minister's arrest and the Delhi Minister said, "Arvind Kejriwal will not resign and will run the government from jail."
The Congress, Trinamool Congress, Sharad Pawar's NCP faction and DMK have condemned the action and called it "undemocratic" and "shameful".
No special bench of the Supreme Court has been set up tonight to urgently hear Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest in an excise policy case. His plea is likely to be listed for hearing tomorrow.
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates: The AAP legal team filed the petition in the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing tonight to quash the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at 8:57 pm - almost two hours back. AAP legal team is in constant touch with Puneet Sehgal, the Registrar of the Supreme Court who handles the listing for the Chief Justice of India. A decision on whether a bench is going to be constituted or not for an urgent hearing is expected soon.
Arvind Kejriwal LIVE: "Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest Is Highly Objectionable": Kerala Chief Minister
"Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest is highly objectionable. This action is part of the effort to shut down the opposition voices at the stage of the election process. This shows the cowardice of those who fear the democratic process," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
"BJP Is Afraid Of Elections": Delhi Congress Chief On Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest
Arvind Kejriwal LIVE Updates:
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE updates: "Strongly Condemn The Vindictive Misuse Of Central Agencies": Sharad Pawar"Strongly condemn the vindictive misuse of central agencies to target the opposition, especially as general elections loom. This arrest showcases the depth to which the BJP will stoop for power. 'INDIA' stands united against this unconstitutional action against," Sharad Pawar said.
Arvind kejriwal LIVE: Congress Delegation Reaching Arvind Kejriwal's Residence: Delhi Minister
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE updates:
"The Election Process Has Begun And Now This": Trinamool's Derek O'Brien
"Today Truth Has Won": Delhi BJP Chief On Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest
AAP MLA Rakhi Birla Detained For Protesting Against Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested News LIVE: AAP Workers Stage Sit-In Outside Arvind Kejriwal's Residence Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal To Be Presented Before Court Tomorrow
Arrested Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal will be produced before the special PMLA court on Friday and the Enforcement Directorate will seek his custody for interrogation Press Trust of India reported quoting officials.
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested News LIVE: "Arvind Kejriwal Ruined Children Of Lakhs Of Mothers In Delhi": BJP MP
"Arvind Kejriwal ruined the children of lakhs of mothers in Delhi by making them addicted to alcohol, the effect of the curse of all those mothers is visible, today another corrupt person came to an end," BJP MP Parvesh Verma said on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.
ED Arrest Arvind kejriwal Live:The Delhi Police is using drones for surveillance as AAP workers have gathered in large numbers outside Arvind Kejriwal's residence. The Delhi Police have started detaining protesting workers following Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.
"We Have Moved Supreme Court To Quash The Arrest": Delhi Minister Atishi
"We have moved the Supreme Court for the quashing the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, by ED. We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself," Delhi Minister Atishi said.
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates: Four companies of paramilitary forces and more than 100 Delhi Police personnel have been deployed in and around the Enforcement Directorate headquarters.
ED Arrest Arvind kejriwal Live: "Shameful Scene Being Seen For First Time In India": Priyanka Gandhi On Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest
Congress leader reacted to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and said, "Targeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in this manner due to elections is completely wrong and unconstitutional. Lowering the level of politics in this manner suits neither the Prime Minister nor his government."
"Fight your critics in the electoral battle, confront them boldly, and of course attack their policies and working style - this is democracy. But in this way, using the power of all the institutions of the country to fulfill one's political objective and weakening them by exerting pressure is against every principle of democracy," she added.
"The bank accounts of the country's largest opposition party Congress have been frozen, all the political parties and their leaders are under pressure day and night from ED, CBI, and IT, one Chief Minister has been put in jail, and now the other Chief Minister is also in jail. Preparations are being made to take it. Such a shameful scene is being seen for the first time in the independent history of India," she said.
Live Updates: The Delhi Police Have Started Detaining Protesting AAP Workers
Arvind Kejriwal Will Remain As Chief Minister Of Delhi: Minister Atishi
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates: Delhi Minister Atishi said Arvind Kejriwal will remain as Chief Minister of Delhi and he will not resign from the post.
Delhi Chief Minister Arrested By Probe Agency In Liquor Policy Case
Live Updates: Delhi Chief Minister has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy case. He's the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested. The Chief Minister has been arrested in the alleged liquor scam. Arvind Kejriwal is the fourth Aam Aadmi Party leader to be arrested in the case. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and AAP leader Vijay Nair were arrested earlier.
Timeline of summons Issued to Arvind Kejriwal
First - 2 November 2023
Second - 21 December 2023
Third - 03 January 2024
Fourth - 18 January 2024
Fifth - 02 February 2024
Sixth - 19 February 2024
Seventh - 26 February 2024
Eighth - 4 March 2024
Ninth - 21 March 2024
Delhi Liquor Policy Case: A Timeline
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the liquor policy case. The agency turned up at the doorstep of Mr Kejriwal hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him any protection from arrest. AAP suspects the agency is going to arrest the Chief Minister, who is in the process of appealing to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing.
"It's A Conspiracy To Stop AAP, Arvind Kejriwal": Delhi Minister
Delhi Minister Imran Hussain says, "It's very unfortunate. It's a conspiracy to stop the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. People of Delhi love Arvind Kejriwal and they'll respond to the BJP."
Live Updates: Protests Outside Arvind Kejriwal's Residence
Explained: Why Enforcement Directorate Wants To Arrest Arvind Kejriwal
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is questioning Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj have said they suspect the ED will today arrest Mr Kejriwal, who had skipped the central probe agency's summons for a ninth time.
Sources said the probe agency is dumping data from electronic gadgets seized from Arvind Kejriwal.
Arvind Kejriwal LIVE:Live Updates: Sources said the security has been increased outside the Enforcement Directorate's office. Sources said the ED is planning to take Arvind Kejriwal to the agency's headquarters.
The Delhi Police have imposed Section 144 outside the Chief Minister's residence.
Arvind Kejriwal LIVE: "Systematic, Planned Move By BJP": Sharad Pawar's Party On Raid
The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) said the Enforcement Directorate reaching Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence on Thursday is a "systematic and planned move" by the BJP, which targets its opponents using central agencies.
"The raid on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is a systematic and planned move by the BJP. It is evident and known that all those in the opposition and the INDIA bloc who speak against the BJP are targeted by using central agencies," NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto said.
Live Updates: No midnight hearing in the Supreme Court on Arvind Kejriwal's urgent plea, the matter will be listed for tomorrow, sources said.
"What Was The Hurry To Raid And Search": Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi
Large Gatherings Banned Outside Arvind Kejriwal's House
Live Updates: The Delhi Police have imposed Section 144 outside Arvind Kejriwal's residence, banning large gatherings. Aam Aadmi Party workers are protesting outside his house against the Enforcement Directorate's action.
Probe Agency's Big Claim Against BRS Leader K Kavitha, AAP's Retort
After the arrest of BRS leader K Kavitha last week, the Enforcement Directorate alleged that she conspired with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders in the case. The agency alleges that Kavitha paid Rs 100 crore to Aam Aadmi Party leaders.
Probe found that Ms K Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia to get favours in the Delhi excise policy-formulation and implementation," the ED said in a statement.
"In exchange of these favours, she was involved in paying Rs 100 crore to the leaders of AAP," the agency said.
The AAP said the agency's charges are a "desperate attempt" to malign the image of its Mr Kejriwal and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia by "planting falsehoods and creating a media sensation" every day.
Live Updates: AAP Workers Protest Outside Arvind Kejriwal's Residence In Delhi
Arvind Kejriwal LIVE: "Big Conspiracy Going On To Arrest Arvind Kejriwal": Raghav Chadha "Just before the Lok Sabha elections, a big conspiracy is going on to arrest Arvind Kejriwal ji. Kejriwal ji has the blessings of crores of people, no one can spoil even a hair," Raghav Chadha said.
Arvind Kejriwal Questioning Live Updates: Sources said many questions related to liquor scams are being asked from Arvind Kejriwal. Questions related to liquor policy are being asked to Kejriwal regarding the meetings held at Kejriwal's house.
"Arvind Kejriwal Is Not A Person, He Is An Idea": Atishi
Arvind Kejriwal Live Updates: Sources said Chief Minister's and his family members' phones have been confiscated by the ED team as questioning continues.
Heavy Police Deployment Outside Arvind Kejriwal's House As Probe Agency Questions Him
Security was beefed up around Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in Civil Lines Thursday evening with the deployment of RAF and CRPF units along with Delhi Police personnel as Enforcement Directorate officials reached there in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case.
"The deployment has been made in anticipation of a gathering of AAP workers near his residence," a police officer said.
Updates: Last week, K Kavitha, BRS leader and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister KCR, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in Hyderabad. The arrest came hours after her house was raided by the agency.
The Enforcement Directorate has claimed that Ms Kavitha was part of a lobby called the 'South Group', which played a key role in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. The other members of the group, according to the agency, were Hyderabad businessman Sarath Reddy, YSR Congress Party MP Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy and his son Raghav Magunta Reddy. Sarath Reddy and Raghav Reddy have turned approvers in the case.
Live Updates: The Enforcement Directorate is questioning Arvind Kejriwal under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Live Updates: Probe Agency Starts Questioning Arvind Kejriwal
Live Updates: The team of Enforcement Directorate has started questioning Arvind Kejriwal at his residence
"All Efforts Underway To Arrest Arvind Kejriwal": AAP MP Swati Maliwal"All efforts are underway to arrest Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is providing world-class education-health-electricity-water facilities in Delhi. Arresting him just before the elections in a case that has been going on for 2 years shows political conspiracy. The whole of Delhi and the whole country is with Kejriwal," AAP MP Swati Maliwal said.
Live Updates: The deployment of police has been increased outside Arvind Kejriwal's house
"Can't Arrest Arvind Kejriwal's Thinking...": Bhagwant Mann Live Updates: "BJP's political team (ED) cannot arrest Kejriwal's thinking...because only AAP can stop BJP. Thinking can never be suppressed," Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said.
Live Updates: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is approaching the Supreme Court for an urgent listing of the matter. A team of senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi will approach the Chief Justice of India for an urgent hearing
Live Updates: Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj At Arvind Kejriwal's
Arvind Kejriwal LIVE Updates:
Live Updates: Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said that "The way police are inside and nobody is allowed in, it seems like a raid is being conducted. It seems they have planned to arrest Arvind Kejriwal"
Team Of Enforcement Directorate Outside Arvind Kejriwal's House
Arvind Kejriwal LIVE Updates:
Updates: Arvind Kejriwal has repeatedly refused to appear before the ED, calling the summons by the central agency illegal. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are in judicial custody in the Delhi liquor policy case.
Live Updates: Arvind Kejriwal, who is the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, has skipped at least eight summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. On Monday, he also skipped summons issued by the agency in a money-laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board.