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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal found himself in the grip of the law on Thursday as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him in connection with the ongoing liquor probe. This development marks a significant moment in Indian politics, as Kejriwal becomes the second sitting chief minister to face arrest in recent times, following Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren.
While Soren’s arrest led to a smooth transition of power to Champai Soren in Jharkhand, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership has reaffirmed that Kejriwal will continue as the chief minister, with the national capital being governed even from within the confines of a jail cell.
Kejriwal’s arrest comes hot on the heels of another high-profile arrest linked to the liquor probe. Last week, BRS leader K Kavitha was apprehended in Hyderabad and subsequently brought to New Delhi for questioning.
Speculation had been rife regarding Kejriwal’s potential involvement in the probe, particularly following Kavitha’s arrest. The denial of protection to Kejriwal by the high court further facilitated the ED’s actions, culminating in a raid on his Civil Lines residence and subsequent arrest.
“ED raid on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is a systematic planned move by the BJP. It is evident and known that all those in the opposition and the India Alliance, who speak against the BJP, are targeted by using central agencies. Many who once spoke against the BJP were targeted, but when they joined hands with them, they were given a clean chit. ED raid on Arvind Kejriwal is suppression of freedom of speech and therefore dangerous to Democracy,” said Clyde Crasto National Spokesperson of Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar.
Kejriwal’s failure to comply with ED summons over the past year added to the legal complexities surrounding the case. Despite challenging the constitutionality of the summons in court, Kejriwal’s plea was met with a setback as the court declined intervention at this stage.
The investigation revolves around allegations of corruption related to a scrapped liquor policy. Earlier, prominent AAP figures Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were arrested in connection with the same case, further intensifying the scrutiny on Kejriwal.
In response to Kejriwal’s arrest, Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi announced that the party has petitioned the Supreme Court for the quashing of Kejriwal’s arrest, seeking an urgent hearing.
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