Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Arrested in Delhi Liquor Policy Case

On 21st March 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested the Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Liquor Policy case. ED arrested him hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant interim protection from coercive action at this stage to Kejriwal in the case. 

Background

To date, ED had issued nine summons to Kejriwal and he had refused to appear before the central agency, so ED has filed two criminal complaints against Kejriwal in the city’s Rouse Avenue Courts alleging non-compliance of the summons by him. ED, in its complaints, alleged that Kejriwal failed to comply with the summons issued to him. However, he informed ED recently that he could be questioned via a video conferencing link after March 12. 

Others Arrested in Connection with this Case

Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh have been arrested in this case and are presently in judicial custody. Moreover, recently BRS leader K Kavitha was arrested in connection with the same case. 

ED’s Allegation

ED has alleged that the excise policy was implemented as part of a conspiracy to give wholesale business profit of 12 percent to certain private companies, although such a stipulation was not mentioned in the minutes of meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM). 

The Central agency has also claimed that there was a conspiracy that was coordinated by Vijay Nair and other individuals along with South Group to give extraordinary profit margins to wholesalers. According to ED, Nair was acting on behalf of CM Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.

High Court Declines Interim Protection

On 21st March 2024, Kejriwal had moved to the Delhi High Court seeking interim protection, but the Delhi High Court refused to grant Kejriwal interim protection from coercive action by the ED. 

Arrest and Aftermath

ED arrested him hours after the Delhi High Court denied the interim protection. Kejriwal’s residence was searched, and he was arrested despite attempts by his party workers to prevent it.

In a statement later, AAP minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Every corner of the CM’s residence was searched, and the ED got Rs 70,000 in cash, which it returned.”

AAP knocks Supreme Court against the arrest of Kejriwal

The AAP decided to knock on the Supreme Court doors. AAP’s legal team rushed to the Registrar’s home, hoping for a late-night hearing. The top court, however, said it would hear the matter on Friday.

Political Reaction

Punjab Chief Minister, AAP’s Bhagwant Mann, in a post on social media, said, “The BJP’s political team (ED) cannot arrest Kejriwal’s ideology… because only AAP can stop BJP. Ideology can never be suppressed.”

At a press conference a little before midnight, AAP minister Gopal Rai said, “If Arvind Kejriwal can be arrested, anyone can be arrested. BJP is scared of losing the polls – it will come down from 400 to 40 seats.” The party asked its workers to head home for the night and gather at the party office on 22nd March 2024 (Friday) morning.

Moreover, AAP leaders highlighted that Arvind Kejriwal will not resign as Delhi CM.  

Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that Kejriwal has been arrested for “threatening”. He stated “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.

PIL in Delhi High Court To Remove Kejriwal as CM

A petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking directions for the 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.

ED produces Arvind Kejriwal in Trial Court, Seeks 10-day Custody

“We have given an application for 10 days’ remand,” the ED told the court after the AAP chief was produced before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja around 2 pm today amid tight security on and around the court premises.

Way Forward

With his arrest just days after the Model Code of Conduct took effect, Kejriwal’s absence from the Lok Sabha campaign is inevitable. He had been a vocal critic of the BJP on various issues.

Click here to read more about the Recent arrest of BRS leader Kavitha in the same case