ED Arrests Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday evening in the liquor policy scam case.

Earlier in the day, Delhi High Court bench comprising Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Manoj Jain heard a plea moved by the Chief Minister of Delhi challenging summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared on behalf of Kejriwal and the Enforcement Directorate was represented by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju. The High Court refused to allow the plea for interim stay of summons and protection from arrest filed by Kejriwal. However, the Court asked ED to file its reply to plea by Kejriwal.

The Enforcement Directorate raided the Delhi Chief Minister's residence after the High Court's refusal to intervene. The agency questioned Arvind Kejriwal and arrested him after one hour.

Numerous Delhi Police personnel and Rapid Action Force were deployed outside the residence of the Chief Minister and several Aam Aadmi Party leaders were detained after they protested against the Chief Minister's arrest.

As per news reports, soon after taking Arvind Kejriwal into custody, he was taken for a medical examination. He will be produced before the magistrate tomorrow.

With the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, a total of four Aam Aadmi Party leaders have been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy scam case. Earlier, Satyendar Jain (former Health Minister of Delhi), Manish Sisodia (former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi) and Sanjay Singh (Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha member) were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in liquor policy scam case.

Kejriwal's legal team led by Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi has approached the Supreme Court of India for urgent relief against arrest.

More to follow...