On March 21 night, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, in a money laundering case related to the Excise policy. This marks the first arrest of a sitting Chief Minister, after the Delhi High Court declined to shield him from the agency’s actions.
AAP leaders gathered outside Kejriwal’s residence and accused the ED of acting on behalf of the BJP.
Atishi, Delhi’s Finance Minister, alleges a political conspiracy behind the ED’s swift actions against Kejriwal, indicating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intention to imprison him.
The ED accuses K Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), of conspiring with Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh in the scrapped liquor policy case.
As per the ED, the “South Lobby” would provide ₹100 crore to the AAP in exchange.
The ED has highlighted in its remand note and chargesheets that some accused and witnesses have mentioned Mr. Kejriwal in their statements.
Mr. Nair reportedly informed liquor traders that he discussed the policy with Mr. Kejriwal and facilitated a meeting between Sameer Mahendru, owner of Indospirit, and Mr. Kejriwal, according to investigators.
Subsequent to the unsuccessful initial meeting, he orchestrated a video call between Mr. Mahendru and Mr. Kejriwal, wherein Mr. Kejriwal affirmed his trust in Mr. Nair, characterizing him as akin to his trusted “child”.
AAP stated that Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyers will request an urgent hearing from the registrar.
The Aam Aadmi Party stated that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyers are headed to the Supreme Court Registrar’s home for an urgent hearing.
Atishi, a Delhi Cabinet minister, confirmed that Arvind Kejriwal will remain Chief Minister and govern from jail if necessary after his ED arrest. The Aam Aadmi Party urgently seeks Supreme Court intervention.