Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi CM Brought To Tihar Jail; ED Says He Named Atishi During Questioning

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in the Delhi excise or liquor policy case. Arvind Kejriwal is in ED custody till April 1.

Allegations are that Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge repeatedly refuted by AAP.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly contacted Apple to help gain access to his iPhone. While the ED does not have any recovered electronic evidence against Arvind Kejriwal in the form of his personal computers or desktops, four mobile phones, including his, were confiscated, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.

Sources cited in the IE report said that the Arvind Kejriwal had switched off his iPhone on the night of his arrest on March 21 and hasn't shared his password.

The ED has officially contacted Apple to obtain access to the Arvind Kejriwal's iPhone but has been told that a password was necessary for retrieving any data, the report said.

Opposition united on Sunday over Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal's arrest as top leaders of the INDIA bloc shared stage at Ramlila Maidan urge the people to defeat the BJP to "save democracy and the Constitution", alleging that they have been deprived of a level playing field in the Lok Sabha elections due to the government's "dictatorial" actions.

Coming together at the 'Loktantra Bachao' (Save Democracy) rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, the first such show of strength by the opposition after the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, the leaders of 18 major parties slammed the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and gave a fervent call to the alliance partners to unite in national interest.

ALSO READ | INDIA Bloc Presses 5 Demands To Election Commission At Mega Rally In Delhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to do "match-fixing" in the Lok Sabha polls and warned that if the BJP wins the election through this endeavour and "changes" the Constitution, then the whole country would be "finished".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, despite being in Enforcement Directorate custody, conveyed his six key promises for Lok Sabha polls through his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, at the 'Loktantra Bachao' rally held at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday.

The rally, which translates to 'save democracy', saw prominent Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Farooq Abdullah, among others. Addressing the crowd, Sunita Kejriwal read out a letter from her husband, currently in a probe agency custody linked to an alleged Delhi liquor policy scam.

In his letter, Kejriwal laid out his vision for a transformed India, emphasising the need for urgent action to alleviate the nation's woes.

Here are his six promises:

• Countrywide 24-hour electricity.

• The poor in the country will get free electricity.

• Every village and mohalla will get a good government school.

• Every village, and mohalla will get a mohalla clinic.

• Farmers will get MSP as per the Swaminathan Committee report.

• Full statehood for Delhi.

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Reacting to Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the US government on Tuesday said last week they are "closely monitoring" his arrest and encourage a "fair, transparent, and timely legal process".

"We encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal," news agency Reuters quoted a US State Department spokesperson as saying.

The US, hours later, again reacted to the summons to its diplomat over comments on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and also on the freezing of Congress bank accounts. Read Full Report

"We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Wednesday and said, "We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India." This came after US reacted to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, saying the country was "Closely following" the actions.

"In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents," MEA said in the statement.

"India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted," MEA added.

Delhi CM and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). After his initial custody ended on March 28, a Delhi court extended it for four more days till April 1.

Arvind Kejriwal had also moved the Delhi High Court against his arrest, saying that his fundamental rights were violated by ED. The court had issued a notice to the ED, seeking a reply by April 2. The hearing will resume on April 3.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21 on alleged corruption charges related to the ongoing liquor policy case. His arrest came just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to begin, with his party members calling it a ”big conspiracy” against the opposition.

Kejriwal has been arrested in connection with an ongoing liquor policy case, under which the ED has previously alleged that through the excise policy implemented by the Delhi Government in November 2021, the AAP was involved in money laundering.

The new policy reduced the legal drinking age to 21, replaced government-owned liquor stores with private entities, and implemented separate registration criteria for different liquor brands based on pricing and sales performance outside Delhi. Additionally, the annual liquor vending license fee was increased significantly from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 75 lakh. The new policy also granted licenses to 849 private vendors through competitive bidding.

The policy was later scrapped after violations were reported.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleges that the excise policy was part of a conspiracy to provide a 12 per cent wholesale business profit to certain private companies and was a coordinated effort by Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Vijay Nair and others.

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In her maiden speech at a political rally, arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal called her husband a "sher" (lion) who will not stay behind bars for long, and announced his six "guarantees" to the country on behalf of the INDIA bloc. 

Sunita Kejriwal was speaking INDIA bloc's 'Loktantra Bachao' (Save Democracy) rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan.

Sunita Kejriwal read out her husband's message from ED custody, and announced the six guarantees, which also includes full statehood for Delhi. Know More About the 6 Guarentees Here

After reading out her husband's "guarantees", Sunita Kejriwal also sought the forgiveness of other leaders on his behalf. "Today, I seek forgiveness from all INDIA bloc partners because I did not seek their permission for making these announcements," she said, quoting his message. 

Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise or liquor policy.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleges that the excise policy was part of a conspiracy to provide a 12 per cent wholesale business profit to certain private companies and was a coordinated effort by Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Vijay Nair and others.

Arvind Kejriwal was sent to ED custody till March 28 initially. His custody was extended till April 1.

Thousands of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday to extend support to their leader Arvind Kejriwal and lend strength to the party at the opposition INDIA bloc's rally.

A large number of these AAP supporters came to the INDIA bloc rally wearing yellow t-shirts with "Mai bhi Kejriwal" and "Modi ka sabse bada dar Kejriwal" printed on them.

Top INDIA bloc leaders made speeches from the dais in solidarity with jailed leaders, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren.

Steps taken by Congress against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government paved way for ED probe into Delhi liquor excise policy case, alleges Kerala CM Vijayan on Monday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be produced in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court at 11:30 am today. The AAP supremo was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21. He was initially sent to ED custody till March 28, however, his custody was extended till April 1 later.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the huge participation of people in the INDIA bloc rally held in New Delhi a day ago was a strong warning for the BJP. Addressing the media in Kozhikode, CM Vijayan also attacked the Congress party and said it was the steps taken by the grand old party which led the Enforcement Directorate to probe the Delhi liquor excise policy case.

AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested recently by the ED in the liquor policy case. Aam Aadmi Party is part of the INDI Alliance.

In its remand application, the ED has accused the Arvind Kejriwal of "being involved in the entire conspiracy of Delhi liquor scam, in drafting and implementation of the policy, for favouring and benefiting the quid pro receiving kickbacks and eventually using part of proceeds of crime generated out of the scheduled offence in the election campaign for Goa Assembly elections."

A Delhi court sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in connection with the Enforcement Directorate probe of money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy 'scam'.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court asked the ED to submit note to special judge on issue of CM Kejriwal passing orders while in custody in money laundering case.

Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal was sent to judicial custody by a court in connection with the Enforcement Directorate probe of the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy 'scam'.

While being brought to the Rouse Avenue court for hearing at the end of his ED custody on Monday, Arvind Kejriwal said what PM is doing is "not good for the country".

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The Delhi High Court asked the ED to submit note to a special judge on issue of Chief Minister Kejriwal passing orders while in custody in money laundering case.

The ED told the Delhi HC that it is not providing any infrastructure to Arvind Kejriwal to pass orders in capacity of chief minister while in custody.

Delhi Assembly will be discussing today the 'baseless arrest of Chief Minister of Delhi and the threat of imposition of President's Rule in Delhi'.

-Arvind Kejriwal was taken into custody by ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on March 21.

-Next day he was sent to ED custody till March 28.

-Kejriwal's ED custody was last week extended till April 1.

-Kejriwal has now been sent to judicial custody by a Delhi court till April 15.

Reacting to Arvind Kejriwal being sent to judicial custody till April 15, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dilip Pandey on Monday said entire country is watching how Delhi Police, ED, CBI, and IT are all working on the instructions of BJP.

"The entire country is watching how Delhi Police, ED, CBI, and IT are all working on the instructions of BJP. Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to judicial custody and it was not opposed by ED, it shows that interrogation was not the purpose. The purpose was to arrest Arvind Kejriwal just before the Lok Sabha elections and break the INDIA alliance...," Pandey said.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to judicial custody till April 15.

The Delhi Assembly on Monday was adjourned till April 8 amid slogan shouting by AAP and BJP members over Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest. AAP MLA Rajesh Gupta accused the BJP of "extorting" Rs 60 crore through electoral bonds from an accused in the excise policy case and sought a reply from the BJP.

Following his address, AAP MLAs trooped into the Well and raised slogans, seeking a reply from the BJP on the electoral bonds issue.

The BJP MLAs, in response, raised slogans against the AAP, following which the proceedings were adjourned till April 8.

The Enforcement Directorate has reportedly claimed that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal named fellow Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and state ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj while being questioned in connection with the liquor policy case.

The ED said AAP supremo Arvind Kerjwal told them that “Vijay Nair didn't report to him but to Atishi Marlena and Saurabh Bharadwaj and his interaction with Vijay Nair was limited [sic],” according to an indiatoday.in report.

Vijay Nair is the former communication-in-charge of the party and is among the accused in the Delhi liquor policy case.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife on Monday said the people of the country "Will answer to this dictatorship" as she reacted to her husband being sent to judicial custody in connection with the excise policy case.

"...Why has he been sent to jail? The people of the country will answer to this dictatorship," Sunita Kejriwal said.

On Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Monday, "...Can any government run from behind the bars?...Here is a government which has three ministers already behind bars. They have a quorum, they can have cabinet meeting behind bars."

On statements of wife of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's Sunita, Puri said, "...12-13 years back, Anna Hazare had started a movement at Ramlila Maidan...Who was in power at that time? The same who were on the stage [at INDIA rally] yesterday...They wanted a corruption-free government at that time...They should be asked about their views on liquor scam..."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was sent to judicial custody in connection with the excise policy case, will be lodged in Jail Number 2 of Tihar Jail, as per sources cited in a news agency ANI report.

He will be alone in the jail. AAP MP Sanjay Singh was shifted to jail number 5 a few days back, the prison sources said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a reply on the bail of BRS leader K Kavitha. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi was arguing for K Kavitha.

ED said that the reply is for both interim and regular bail.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was being taken out of Rouse Avenue Court a while ago. Kejriwal, who has been sent to judicial custody till April 15, will be lodged in Tihar Jail.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been brought to Tihar Jail after a court sent him to judicial custody till April 15 in the excise policy case.

AAP workers on Monday held protests outside Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was brought to Tihar Jail after a Delhi court sent him to judicial custody till April 15 in the excise policy case.

Sunita Kejriwal, who is the wife of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s, on Monday said “people will answer to this dictatorship” after the latter was sent to judicial custody till April 15 by Delhi court.

AAP leader Somnath Bharti on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “bound to lose” the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

His reaction came after Delhi Court sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in the excise policy case.

"PM Modi cannot win elections on a level-playing field, he is bound to lose. They have arrested only Arvind Kejriwal's body, his spirit and courage are with every person now," he said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be reportedly lodged inside Tihar Jail’s prison number 2.

Earlier, Delhi court sent Kejriwal to a 14-day judicial custody in connection with the excise policy case.

AAP leader Kuldeep Kumar on Monday while referring to BJP said lotus will never be able to bloom in Delhi.

Kumar’s reaction came after Delhi court sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15.

"Everyone knows that operation 'lotus' is being carried out to destroy Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government. But, this lotus will never be able to bloom in Delhi," he said.

Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday termed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being sent to Tihar Jail “dangerous for democracy”.

Randhawa said: "This is very dangerous for democracy. The British never did what the BJP government is doing..."

AAP leader Jasmine Shah on Monday said the party supremo Arvind Kejriwal will remain Delhi Chief Minister.

Shah said: “Kejriwal will remain CM, he is under constitutional oath to serve people of Delhi”.

Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva on Monday alleged liquor excise policy case led Delhi's youth into addiction. His remarks came after Kejriwal was sent to Tihar jail by Delhi court. He urged Delhiites to observe those who have "looted" them.

BJP MP and senior leader Manoj Tiwari on Monday launched a scathing attack at the jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying “This flagbearer of honesty could not even provide his mobile phone to the investigative agencies”.

In his reaction, Tiwari said: "... BJP did not send Arvind Kejriwal to Tihar jail, the court did... This flagbearer of honesty could not even provide his mobile phone to the investigative agencies. And the alternative devices he provided, he did not remember the passwords to access those... When the court was told that Arvind Kejriwal was not cooperating with the interrogation and was trying to mislead the ED, what Arvind Kejriwal said was sensational. He threw Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj under the bus by saying that Vijay Nair used to report to them... Arvind Kejriwal exposed the internal power struggle in the AAP. Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were not backing off but Arvind Kejriwal wanted to give the CM chair to his wife, and he has made that path clear..."

After Delhi Chief Miinister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday was sent by Delhi court to Tihar jail in alleged excise policy scam, Assam Congress Working President Jakir Hussain Sikdar said “ED and CBI are put behind leaders who raise their voices against corruption”.

He said:"...ED & CBI are put behind leaders who raise their voices against BJP corruption. The people of the country know that ED, CBI & I-T have only one work & that is to arrest leaders who speak against the BJP..."

Senior advocate Rakesh Diwedi on Monday said Delhi deserves a competent Chief Minister, the one who is not currently in the jail.

He opined: “Delhi deserves a competent Chief Minister, one who is not currently in the jail. The AAP, which currently holds the majority in the legislature, should appoint someone. It is important for Delhi to have a functional Chief Minister, as a cabinet cannot operate effectively without one.”

Senior advocate Ashwani Dubey on Monday in his reaction on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal running government inside the jail said, “democracy demands that the person, who has been elected by the public, be outside (the jail) with the public”.

He said: “The Constitution does not expressly bar anyone from running the government from inside the jail, but talking of Constitutional morality stops it. Democracy demands that the person, who has been elected by the public, be outside (the jail) with the public. Here (Delhi), people would not be having any access to the CM.”