Arvind Kejriwal's arrest; Supreme Court expected to review case today
PTC News Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's detention by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam has sparked intense political turmoil, prompting his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to call for nationwide protests outside BJP offices.
The Supreme Court is set to review Kejriwal's petition regarding his arrest today, following its previous refusal for an urgent hearing on his plea against the ED raids. Concurrently, the probe agency is slated to present the Chief Minister before an ED court. The sudden arrest of Kejriwal, just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, has triggered widespread protests by AAP supporters and garnered strong condemnation from the opposition, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is scheduled to visit Kejriwal's family today.
Amidst these developments, AAP has affirmed that Kejriwal will continue executing his chief ministerial responsibilities from custody, a move that experts suggest could potentially lead to a constitutional crisis.
The Enforcement Directorate, investigating potential money laundering in the liquor policy scandal, has labeled Kejriwal as a "conspirator". The agency's visit to his residence with a search warrant followed Kejriwal's failure to respond to nine summons, culminating in his arrest around 9 pm yesterday.
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The Delhi High Court's refusal to grant him protection further compounded his predicament. Subsequently, Kejriwal was taken into custody, subjected to questioning, and lodged in an ED lock-up overnight, following a medical examination at RML hospital. Minister Atishi has decried Kejriwal's detention as a "BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led conspiracy" and affirmed his continuing role as Delhi's Chief Minister. AAP has rallied supporters for nationwide protests against the BJP, with the demonstration in Delhi slated outside the BJP headquarters.
Kejriwal's apprehension follows the recent arrest of BRS leader K Kavitha in the liquor policy case, marking the first instance of Kejriwal being implicated as a conspirator post-Kavitha's detention.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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