Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE: 'How Can Access To Party Office Be Stopped During Polls,' Atishi Claims AAP Office Sealed
Catch all the live updates on Arvind Kejriwal's arrest here.
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE Updates: Delhi CM Withdraws Plea From SC; Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj Detained
(Photo: The Quint)
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News Live Updates: A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was remanded to six-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Aam Aadmi Party and INDIA Alliance announced that they will be holding demonstrations in the capital city.
Delhi Finance Minister and AAP member Atishi is scheduled to hold a press conference "on the money trail from the Delhi excise policy," the party posted on X.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on Thursday, 21 March, in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor excise policy scam.
Kejriwal's arrest came just hours after the Delhi High Court had refused to grant any interim protection from coercive action to the AAP chief. He was reportedly arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The ED on the evening of Thursday, 21 March, arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor excise policy case.
This came just hours after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking protection from 'coercive action' by the agency.
Minutes after his arrest, AAP leader Atishi said the party has moved the Supreme Court for quashing his arrest.
INDIA bloc leaders and chief ministers have condemned Kejriwal's arrest.
The ED had issued over 9 summons to Kejriwal to appear for questioning in the excise policy case.
However, the AAP chief skipped all of them.
Kejriwal is reportedly the third high-profile AAP leader to be arrested in the excise policy case, after Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh.
AAP has called for a nation-wide protest against Kejriwal's arrest.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being produced before the Rouse Avenue Court.
Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj with AAP workers stage a protest at ITO against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case.
Delhi Minister Atishi raise slogans after being detaned during a protest at ITO against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Police personnel detain AAP supporters during a protest in Surat over the arrest of their party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate.
AAP workers being detained in jammu by the police during their protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal.
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
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AAP Moves SC Over Kejriwal's Arrest
"We have moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by ED," AAP leader Atishi wrote on X minutes after his arrest from his residence on 21 March, Thursday. "We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Court tonight itself," she added.
'Arvind Kejriwal Is an Ideology': Atishi Minutes Before His Arrest
As chaos unfolded outside the residence of Arvind Kejriwal as an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team conducted raids, following his arrest, AAP leader Atishi, speaking to the media, said, "Arvind Kejriwal is not just a person, he is an ideology. If a popular Chief Minister is arrested in this manner, his supporters will come from every corner of Delhi."
AAP MLAs Detained for Protesting Outside Kejriwal's Residence
Minutes after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, Delhi Police allegedly detained AAP MLAs Jarnail Singh, Rituraj Jha, Jai Bhagwan, and Abdul Rehman who were protesting outside his residence, according to a post by the AAP handle on X. They shared visuals from purportedly a police van, chanting slogans of "Tanashahi nahi chalegi."
"We will not be afraid of these arrests; we will fight till our last breath," the post said.
Kejriwal To Be Produced in Court Tomorrow
Arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to be produced before a special PMLA court on Friday, 22 March, news agency PTI reported citing officials.
The Enforcement Directorate will seek his custody for interrogation, the report added.
'Wrong and Unconstitutional': Congress' Priyanka Gandhi
"Targeting Delhi Chief Minister Shri 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," Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote in Hindi on X (formerly Twitter).
'Heading to SC Registrar's House': AAP
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's legal team is going to the Supreme Court Registrar's house in order to ask for an urgent hearing, AAP leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said in a post on X.
Why Kejriwal's Arrest Seemed Imminent
The Enforcement Directorate is pursuing Kejriwal in two cases. One is the Delhi liquor excise policy case in which the agency is investigating allegations of money laundering.
The other case is related to alleged kickbacks in a Delhi Jal Board contract to a private firm. So far, the ED has summoned him for questioning in this case only once.
What are the likely political implications of Kejriwal's arrest. Read more here.
'BJP Will Pay': AAP General Secretary Sandeep Pathak
"The Bharatiya Janata Party and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi will pay heavily for this move," wrote Sandeep Pathak, AAP Organisation General Secretary on X in the wake of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the ED from his residence on 21 March.
'Vindictive Misue 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 BJP will stoop for power. ‘INDIA’ stands united against this unconstitutional action against Arvind Kejriwal," NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar wrote in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also condemned Kejriwal's arrest with party chief Sitaram Yechury saying, "It’s the second sitting CM of the INDIA bloc to be arrested. Clearly, Modi and the BJP are in panic over people’s rejection in the ongoing elections. All opposition leaders who defected and joined the BJP are protected and patronised. They are the ‘Satya Harishchandras’! These arrests will only cement people’s desire to defeat BJP, defend democracy and Indian Constitution."
'INDIA Will Give Befitting Reply': Congress' Rahul Gandhi
"A scared dictator wants to create a dead democracy. While capturing all the institutions including the media, breaking up the parties, extorting money from companies, and freezing the account of the main opposition party was not enough for the 'devilish power', now the arrest of the elected Chief Ministers has also become a common thing. INDIA will give a befitting reply to this," Congress MP Rahul Gandhi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, party president Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the BJP for "trying to weaken the Opposition" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. "If there was real confidence in victory then the accounts of the main opposition party - Congress Party would not have been frozen by misusing the constitutional institutions. The truth is that the BJP is already scared of the upcoming election results..." he said.
Kejriwal Won't Resign as Delhi CM, Says AAP
"Arvind Kejriwal was, is, and will remain the Chief Minister of Delhi. The AAP has already clarified that if Kejriwal is arrested, the Delhi government will run from jail," said AAP leader Atishi.
"There's no law that prohibits him from running the government from jail. He has not been convicted," she added.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has also confirmed that Kejriwal will not be resigning. He will continue to run the government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from prison, a source in the party told The Quint.
Kejriwal Taken to ED Headquarters
ED officers left Kejriwal's residence along with him around 11 pm on Thursday. He has been taken to the agency's headquarters in Central Delhi, reported ANI.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being taken away from his residence after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the liquor excise policy case.
'Vicious': Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Kejriwal's Arrest
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed Kejriwal's arrest as "vicious".
"The arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is outright vicious and part of a callous plot to silence all opposition voices just ahead of the general elections. This exposes the cowardice of those who fear democratic process and calls for collective action to resist abuse of power," he posted on X.
He also addressed the media saying that, “This has come at a time when the process for the general elections has commenced. To jail all those who speak up is in no way acceptable."
“The cowardice of those who are scared of democratic norms have now come out through this act, which is extremely condemnable and warrants protests,” he added.
'Undeclared Emergency': AAP MP Raghav Chadha
Reacting to Kejriwal's arrest, AAP MP Raghav Chadha said that "India is under an undeclared Emergency."
"Arvind Kejriwal is the second democratically elected opposition CM to be arrested ahead of the upcoming elections. What are we heading towards? India has never seen such blatant misuse of agencies. This is an act of cowardice, and a vicious plot to silence the strongest opposition voices," he posted on X.
'Driven by Fear': Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also condemned Kejriwal's arrest saying that "Ahead of Elections 2024, driven by fear of a decade of failures and the imminent defeat, the Fascist BJP Govt sinks to despicable depths by arresting Hon'ble Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, following the unjust targeting of brother Hemant Soren."
"Not a single BJP leader faces scrutiny or arrest, laying bare their abuse of power and the decay of democracy. The relentless persecution of opposition leaders by the BJP Govt smacks of a desperate witch-hunt," he added.
'Unfortunate': K'taka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
“There was no hurry to arrest a sitting Chief Minister. It is unfortunate for a democratic set up,” Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar told news agency PTI.
'Only Rs 70,000 Found': AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj
"Every corner of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence was searched, and the ED got Rs 70,000 in cash only which the ED returned," Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, adding that Kejriwal also handed over his mobile to the central agency.
"So far, they have arrested two chief ministers, and it's possible they can arrest more chief ministers," he added.
AAP To Protest Against Kejriwal's Arrest Tomorrow
"Tomorrow at 10 am we will hold a protest against the BJP party over the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED," Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
ITO Station to Stay Closed
Amid news of the nationwide protest being organised by AAP workers, Delhi Metro has said that central Delhi's ITO station will remain closed from 8 am to 6 pm on Friday.
'Shameful Act': Saurabh Bharadwaj
“Whatever happened yesterday night is very weird for the entire country. A popular Chief Minister, who has a lot of support was arrested by the ED. This is a very disgusting and shameful act," said AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday.
Kejriwal's Petition to be Mentioned at 10:30am
Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest by the ED in Delhi excise policy scam to be mentioned before CJI DY Chandrachud led bench at 10:30 am, reported Bar and Bench.
'Political Conspiracy of BJP': Atishi
On Friday morning, AAP leader Atishi said, “It has happened for the first time in the history of Indian democracy, that a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested by the central government. It has happened for the first time that a national convener of a national party has been arrested after the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections. It’s totally clear that the arrest of the (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal is a political conspiracy of BJP.”
'Mockery of the Democracy': Kapil Sibal
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal termed Kejriwal's arrest as mockery of the democracy.
"INDIA Alliance has to decide what to do. I have been saying since the beginning that the alliance has to come together against all of this... This is a zero case... The whole case is based on the statements of the approvers... There are no proofs... This is a mockery of the democracy," he told news agency ANI.
'Not Allowed to Meet Kejriwal's Family': AAP Leaders
Meanwhile, AAP leaders Gopal Rai and Saurabh Bharadwaj have alleged that no one is allowed to meet Kejriwal's family.
"I have come here to meet his family but they have been put under house arrest. Under which law, I am being stopped from meeting his family?" Gopal Rai said.
Kejriwal's Petition Mentioned in SC
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned Kejriwal's petition before CJI Chandrachud on Friday morning. While mentioning the plea for an urgent hearing, he said "If this process goes on, before the first vote is cast, a lot of senior leaders will be behind bars. Please take it up.”
The matter has been assigned to Special Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela Trivedi.
AAP Workers Gather Outside BJP Office to Protest
Heavy security has been deployed near the BJP headquarters in Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, with section Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) also imposed in the area. AAP cadres have gathered to protest against Kejriwal’s arrest.
“This is to inform you that Sec 144 has been imposed here in ITO. We request the protestors to disperse from the spot immediately, else we’ll have to use force," a police personnel said.
'Exposed in Liquor Scam': BJP's Anurag Thakur
Reacting to Kejriwal's arrest, 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," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.
AAP Leader Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj Detained
AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi have been detained by police at ITO in Delhi along with some other party workers while against 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 told media.
Kejriwal Withdraws Petition from SC
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has withdrawn his petition from the Supreme Court against arrest by Enforcement Directorate.
"We are withdrawing the petition here as it is clashing with the remand," Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Kejriwal told the apex court.
'People of Delhi Will Answer': AAP MP Sandeep Pathak
AAP MP Sandeep Pathak said that people of Delhi will answer BJP by using their votes.
"We had given a call for protest. Since last night party leaders were being put under house arrest. Today, Saurabh ji and Atishi ji have been detained. The public of Delhi will give an answer by using their vote...Politics will benefit from this. Even the people who take a neutral stand are saying that Kejriwal's arrest is wrong," he said.
ED Takes Kejriwal to Special Court
Kejriwal will be presented before a Special Court soon.
Kejriwal Produced Before Special Court
Arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal produced before the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja in Rouse Avenue court.
AAP Workers Detained Across India
AAP workers are being detained in various cities like Surat, Lucknow, Jammu, etc, for protesting against the arrest of party chief Arvind Kejriwal.
Surat
Jammu
New Delhi
ED Demands 10 Day Custody
The Enforcement Directorate has sought 10-day custody of arrested Delhi CM Kejriwal, arguing that he was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy.
'No Evidence': Siddaramaiah on Kejriwal's Arrest
Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that Kejriwal has been arrested to "threaten".
"There was no evidence to arrest him. I don't know why they have arrested him. It is undemocratic and it shows that this is a dictatorial government," he added.
'Undeclared Emergency': Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann termed ED's arrest of Kejriwal as "undeclared emergency."
"The agencies are being used like a tool, like a weapon. Any opposition leader, who raises voice against the atrocities of the BJP, is raided by the ED, CBI and Income Tax. The situation in the country is like undeclared emergency," he said.
'Unjust Done to Kejriwal': Yogendra Yadav
"I am astonished. What is going on in this country in the name of democracy? You change the referee before the match by appointing new ECs. You are freezing bank accounts of opponent. Notices have been given in 30-year-old cases. Do proper investigation. If court convicts, then be it PM or anybody else, they should be punished. Arresting before election by hook or by crook is like murder of democracy. Unjust has been done to Arvind Kejriwal. I'm sure people will teach them a lesson," political analyst Yogendra Yadav was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
'My Life Is Dedicated to Nation': Arvind Kejriwal
"My life is dedicated to the country, whether I am inside (jail) or outside," Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was quoted as saying by PTI, after he was produced in the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the liquor excise policy case.
PIL in Delhi High Court To Remove Kejriwal as CM
A petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking directions for removal of arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal from the post, according to a report by LiveLaw.
The plea comes after AAP leaders said that Kejriwal will not resign as chief minister despite his arrest by ED, adding that he will continue to run the Delhi government from jail.
Delhi Court To Pronounce Order Soon
After hearing arguments, Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its verdict on CM Arvind Kejriwal's remand in the liquor excise policy case.
The ED had sought custody of Kejriwal for 10 days, and the court is expected to pass an order shortly, according to a report by LiveLaw.
'Your CM Has Always Stood With You': Sunita Kejriwal
"Modi-ji got your thrice-elected chief minister arrested due to his arrogance of power and is trying to crush everyone. This is a betrayal with the people of Delhi. Your chief minister has always stood with you. Whether inside (jail) or outside, his life is dedicated to the country. The public is supreme and knows everything. Jai Hind," Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, wrote in Hindi in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
'No Holi Programme': AAP To Gherao PM's Residence
"Delhi ministers, AAP MLAs, councillors will take pledge to safeguard country at Shaheedi Park on Saturday," Delhi's Environment Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
"Holi programme won't take place this year, instead we will go to people and tell them what is happening in country," he added.
Rai further mentioned that the party is planning to gherao the prime minister's residence on 26 March in protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.
Kejriwal Sent To ED Custody for 6 Days
A special court refused to grant arrested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal interim relief and remanded him to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till 28 March.
The AAP chief had been arrested from his residence on Thursday night by the probe agency on charges of money laundering in connection with the Delhi liquor excise policy case.
'Dark Day in History of Democracy': AAP's Atishi
Soon after a Delhi court refused to grant interim relief for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Atishi said, "BJP wants to contest elections from behind the ED... Is ED a part of the BJP that the party is issuing their press release. To date, no proceeds of crime have been found by the ED against the AAP leaders."
"Today is a dark day in the history of the Democracy of the country. People of the country are seeing this murder of democracy which has been done today," she added.
"We very respectfully and humbly disagree with the decision of the court. ED has no proof even after 2 years of investigation...ED forced their witnesses to give statements against Arvind Kejriwal...We will explore all possible legal routes...One by one opposition parties are being targetted in front of the judiciary...Arvind Kejriwarl will always be the CM of Delhi. There is no Constitutional bar on him not being the CM. He has not been convicted till now," Atishi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
'Kejriwal Arrested in Fake Case in Illegal Way': Shiv Sena (UBT)
"Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested in a fake case in an illegal way, with a feeling of revenge. The entire country and the world know this. They (BJP) are afraid and (Lok Sabha) elections are getting tougher for them with each passing day," Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut told news agency PTI
'Aurobindo Pharma Director Donated Poll Bonds to BJP': AAP
"P Sarath Chandra Reddy, the director of Aurobindo Pharma, whose name had surfaced in connection with its money laundering case into alleged irregularities in the Delhi government’s liquor policy, donated to the BJP through electoral bonds. This money trail shows clear culpability and we demand that ED arrests BJP Chief JP Nadda in the case," Atishi said, while addressing the Press.
Delhi Liquor Case Approver's Firm Gave 34 Crore Via Electoral Bonds to BJP
Five days after P Sarath Reddy, the director of Aurobindo Pharma was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the company donated electoral bonds worth Rs 5 crore to the BJP, The Quint's Fatima Khan had reported.
'Not Surprised By Arrest,' Sunita Kejriwal Reads Out Delhi CM's 'Message From Jail'
In a video message, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita read out a letter that the incarcerated chief minister claimed to have written from jail.
"I was arrested yesterday. I will keep working for the nation, irrespective of whether I am behind bars. I have struggled for the betterment of the nation and many such challenges will come along my way. That is why I am not surprised at my arrest," said Arvind Kejriwal in his 'letter from jail'.
'Identify Forces Weakening Nation, Defeat Them': Kejriwal's 'Letter From Jail'
"Together, we have to make India the world's most powerful nation. There are several forces within and outside India that are weakening the country. We have to be alert, identify these forces and defeat them," said Arvind Kejriwal in his 'letter from jail'.
Will Keep My Promise to Delhi's Women: Kejriwal in 'Letter from Jail'
"Women in Delhi must be thinking that Kejriwal is behind bars. Will they get the Rs 1000 that he promised? I appeal to them to trust their brother, their son. There is no prison that can keep him behind bars for long. I will come out soon and keep my promise," Arvind Kejriwal said in his "letter from jail." It was read out by his wife Sunita Kejriwal in a video message.
'How Can Access To AAP Office Be Stopped During Election?': Atishi
Delhi Finance Minister and AAP senior member Atishi claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the Aam Aadmi Party's office in the capital city has been "sealed off from all sides."
"How can access to a national party office be stopped during the Lok Sabha election? This against the ‘level playing field’ promised in the Indian Constitution," she posted on X.
The party is seeking time with the Election Commission, Atishi added.
'How Can Police Stop 2 Delhi Ministers from Going to their Office?'
"Yesterday, two ministers -- Atishi and I -- were stopped from going to our ITO office, which is AAP's office in Delhi. Today too Atishi, Durgesh Pathak, Adil Ahmed Khan and I were stopped from going to our party office. And this is happening just ahead of elections. When we asked the police how can they do this, they did not have a response." Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said during a press conference.