Kejriwal arrest updates:Enforcement Directorate arrest Delhi CM in connection to Delhi Excise Policy Case
This is the most high-profile arrest in the case, and makes him the first sitting chief minister to be arrested.
Arvind Kejriwal Arrest News Live Updates, 22 March: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal withdrew his plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from the Supreme Court, and is likely to approach a lower court first. Kejriwal was arrested by the central agency late on Thursday on charges of corruption in relation to the now-scrapped excise policy. It is the first time in independent India that a serving Chief Minister has been arrested. The move came after Kejriwal skipped multiple summons by the investigation agency, nine in total, calling them “illegal”.
Delhi CM withdraws plea against arrest from Supreme Court
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal withdrew his plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from the Supreme Court, and is likely to approach a lower court first.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal, who had skipped eight ED summons and in the agency’s ninth summons, was asked to appear on March 21, moved a plea in the Delhi high court, seeking directions to the central agency to not take any coercive action against him. Though the HC posted the matter to be heard on April 22 next, it did not grant any relief to Kejriwal.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to reach Kejriwal’s residence shortly
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann is expected to reach Arvind Kejriwal’s residence shortly.
Mamata Banerjee on Kejriwal’s arrest
“I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people…It’s outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy,” TMC leader and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote in a post on X.