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:
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.
"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.
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.
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.
"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.
"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: "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 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"