Delhi Ministers Detained During AAP Protest Against Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest
In a significant turn of events, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the first serving Chief Minister to be arrested in India, faced detainment by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam. This action has sparked massive protests led by his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) not only in Delhi but also across the nation.
Protests and Detentions
State ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, along with other protesters, were leading a large-scale protest march in Delhi when they were detained by authorities. Dramatic scenes unfolded at the ITO as Atishi was seen being forcefully taken away by the police to a bus designated for transporting protesters to the nearest police station.
Security measures have been tightened with the closure of all roads leading to the AAP headquarters, and water cannons along with paramilitary forces have been deployed on the DDU road, leading to the BJP headquarters. Additionally, the ITO Metro station remained closed from 8 am to 6 pm on police advice.
Legal Developments
Arvind Kejriwal, who initially challenged his arrest in the Supreme Court, withdrew his petition and announced intentions to approach a lower court. The Enforcement Directorate is set to produce him in court as part of ongoing legal proceedings.
This development, occurring just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, has triggered widespread protests from AAP supporters and condemnation from opposition parties. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has planned a visit to Kejriwal’s family in light of recent events.
AAP’s Response
The AAP has vowed that Kejriwal will continue his chief ministerial duties from jail, a move that could potentially lead to a constitutional crisis, according to legal experts. Atishi, addressing a press conference, labeled Kejriwal’s arrest as a “political conspiracy by the BJP”, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of a sitting Chief Minister’s arrest by the central government.
The Arrest and Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate, investigating a money laundering angle in the alleged liquor policy scam, has identified Kejriwal as a “conspirator”. The arrest followed multiple summonses issued by the central agency, with the Delhi High Court denying him protection from arrest.
During the arrest, conducted at Kejriwal’s residence, the probe team seized phones belonging to him and his wife, along with data from electronic devices. Kejriwal spent the night in an ED lock-up after a medical examination at RML hospital.
Political Ramifications
The arrest of Kejriwal comes shortly after the detention of BRS leader K Kavitha in connection with the same case. Kejriwal’s involvement as a conspirator surfaced following Kavitha’s arrest. Notably, two prominent AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are already in custody regarding the matter.
The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal has set off a chain of political reactions, protests, and legal proceedings. As the AAP continues to mobilize support against what they perceive as political persecution, the unfolding events have heightened tensions and drawn attention to the intersection of law, politics, and governance in India’s capital city.
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