Arvind Kejriwal arrest updates | Recent remarks by U.S. State Department on Delhi CM arrest unwarranted: MEA

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on March 28 said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, during his remand hearing in a city court, sought to know whether just four statements against him in connection with the alleged excise policy scam were enough for his arrest. 

Mr. Kejriwal also said in the court that the objective of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into the alleged liquor scam was to “crush AAP and prove it was corrupt”, said Bharadwaj who was present in the court. 

The Delhi Chief Minister also brought to the cognisance of the court that one of the four witnesses whose statements were used against him, donated Rs 55 crore to the BJP through electoral bonds which was a proof of money trail in the alleged liquor scam, Bharadwaj said in a press conference. 

No immediate reactions were available from the ED or the BJP over the charges and claims of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Mr. Kejriwal as well as Mr. Bharadwaj. -- PTI

On the recent remarks made by the U.S. State Department on the arrest of Delhi Chief MInister Arvind Kejriwa, the MEA said that the comments were unwarranted. 

The MEA spokesperson further said that “any external imputation on our electoral, legal processes are completely unacceptable.” 

The MEA said “India proud of its independent, robust democratic institutions; committed to protect them from any form of undue external influences.” -- PTI

The Aam Aadmi Party observed a fast in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar on March 28 in protest against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate.The protest will last for seven hours, from 10 am to 5 pm. 

The protest is being staged to save the Constitution and democracy at Dharamshal, Lower PMG, Master Canteen Chouck, Bhubaneswar, the party said. 

During the protest, the AAP leaders chanted slogans like “ Arvind Kejriwal, aage bado, hum tumhare saath hain” (Arvind Kejriwal, move forward; we are with you) and “ Jail ka tala tootega, Arvind Kejriwal chhootega” (The lock of the jail will break, and Arvind Kejriwal will be released). 

Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court on March 28 extended the custodial remand of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by four more days in a money laundering case related to excise Policy. -- ANI

BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia on March 28 said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case, should resign from the post as he “cannot run the government from the lock up”. Mr. Bhatia told that Mr. Kejriwal should resign on moral grounds. He accused the AAP leader of duplicity in words and actions. “There are 1.5 crore people in the city and they are the responsibility of the Chief Minister of the elected government. If you cannot give any orders from jail, then how will you serve the public? Arvind Kejriwal cheats everyone,” Mr. Bhatia said. 

The BJP spokesperson further came down heavily on Mr. Kejriwal and said that the AAP supremo does exactly the opposite of what he promises.”Whatever he has said till now, has done the opposite in public life,” he said, adding, “He should resign on moral grounds. Arvind Kejriwal came from the movement which was taken out against corruption and he himself had called Sharad Pawar, Lalu Prasad Yadav and even Sonia Gandhi a corrupt. Today, he (Kejriwal) has compromised with them. If he has even an iota of morality left in him, he should resign,” Mr. Bhatia added. -- ANI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal on March 28 claimed he is not keeping well and is being “harassed a lot”.

Mr. Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. Earlier on Thursday, a court here extended the chief minister’s ED custody till April 1.

Sunita Kejriwal, who had come for her husband’s court hearing, told reporters, “He has not been keeping well. His sugar levels are fluctuating. He is being harassed a lot. This tyranny won’t last and people will give a reply.” -- PTI

A court on March 28 extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 in the excise policy case.

The agency had sought seven-day custody of the AAP chief, but the court said he has to be produced before the court on April 1 at 11 a.m.

The ED had produced him before Rouse Avenue court Special Judge Kaveri Baweja as his current custody was ending on March 28.

The ED said in its fresh remand plea that during his custodial interrogation, his statements were recorded on five days and that he was “giving evasive replies”.

It said the statements of three other persons have also been recorded during the remand. -- PTI

The Enforcement Directorate questioned Aam Aadmi Party’s Goa unit president Amit Palekar and three others in connection with a money-laundering case. 

After coming out of the office, Mr. Palekar said, “I cannot reveal what the investigation is about. I have joined the probe. Whatever questions they are asking me, I am answering.” He said he has been asked to bring the data related to the case.

“Whatever data the ED has asked me to bring, I will bring...They are doing their job, I will do mine as a citizen,” he said. - PTI

The Delhi BJP demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case, alleging the city is facing a constitutional crisis.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and party MP Manoj Tiwari said the AAP could have made anyone from the party Chief Minister after Mr. Kejriwal was taken into custody.

“Delhi is under a huge constitutional crisis. If you have even scant regard for the people of Delhi who elected you, you could have made anyone (from AAP) Chief Minister,” Mr. Tiwari said.

Taking a dig at the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, Mr. Sachdeva said there is an internal tussle going on in the AAP for the Chief Minister’s chair. He questioned the constitutional validity of running a government from the custody of a probe agency.

“Show us one example in the entire world of somebody running the government from jail. If you have any ethics left in you, resign,” Mr. Sachdeva said, asking why did the party get Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain to resin if functioning from jail is legal. - PTI

A day after Delhi Lt. Governor Saxena said the city government will not be run from jail, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called it a “political conspiracy” and said “people will give a reply”.

Minutes before being produced in a city court, Mr. Kejriwal was asked about Mr. Saxena’s statement.

In his response, the Chief Minister said, “This is a political conspiracy. The people will give a reply.” AAP leaders on several occasions ruled out Mr. Kejriwal’s resignation, insisting that he will run his government from inside the jail. LG Saxena on March 27 said, “I can assure the people of Delhi that the government will not be run from jail.” - PTI

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal himself made submissions in the court during the hearing in the excise policy case and said a smokescreen of the AAP being corrupt has been created before the nation. The ED tells court that CM Arvind Kejriwal is giving evasive replies and not disclosing passwords of his digital devices. Mr. Kejriwal said in court, “I am named by four witnesses in excise policy case, are four statements enough to arrest a sitting CM. Smokescreen of the AAP being corrupt created in front of nation and I am ready to face ED probe.” - PTI

The Delhi High Court on March 28 rejected a petition seeking removal of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from the post, following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. “This court is of the view that there is no scope for judicial interference. It is for the other wing of the government to examine the issue in accordance with the law,” a Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P. S. Arora said.

Responding to a query on whether the BJP could consider Arvind Kejriwal joining the party in the future, Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated unequivocally, “People who have looted the country, who have made tall claims and promises to the people of Delhi and let down the mandate of the people, will never be welcomed to the BJP.” 

Regarding the functioning of investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Goyal emphasised their independence and the importance of fulfilling their mandate. He underscored the significance of these agencies in upholding the rule of law and combating corruption. 

Minister Goyal said, “If the ED and the CBI are doing their job, then they are independent organisations and fulfilling their mandate. - ANI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal brought to Rouse Avenue court as his ED custody ends on March 28. “It is a political conspiracy and the people will give an answer to it,” he says before entering the court. Mr. Kejriwal produced before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja. The ED seeks further seven days custody of Mr. Kejriwal

A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan refused to comment on the merits of the issue, saying the same fell outside the scope of judicial interference.

“It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with the law,” the bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet PS Arora, said.

During the hearing, the court asked petitioner Surjit Singh Yadav’s counsel to show the legal bar on the continuation of Kejriwal as the chief minister.

“There may be practical difficulties but that is something else. Where is the legal bar?” the court asked.

“There is no scope for judicial interference in this issue. The executive will examine it,” Delhi HC on plea for removal of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from the post, following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate had summoned Aam Aadmi Party’s Goa unit president Amit Palekar, AAP leader Ramrao Wagh and two others - Dattaprasad Naik and Ashok Naik for questioning. Mr. Dattaprasad and Mr. Ashok are leaders of the Bhandari community in Goa. While Mr. Palekar arrived at the ED office at 12.10 pm, the three others reached the ED office before him. - PTI

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the Centre is rattled by the governments of the U.S. and Germany expressing concern over democracy in India and calling for a fair trial for Arvind Kejriwal. - PTI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa chief Amit Palekar and AAP Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas arrived at the Enforcement Directorate office in Panaji on Thursday.

The ED had earlier summoned Palekar, Ramarao Wagh, Datta Prasad Naik and the president of Bhandari Samaj, Ashok Naik, to join the investigation on Thursday, in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case. - ANI

The Aam Adami Party workers protesting against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate were detained by the police. 

The AAP workers were protesting and distributing leaflets against the ED arrest of the Delhi CM at the ITO Delhi metro station.”We were keeping our point only and they (the police) are detaining us,” one of the AAP workers said. - ANI 

Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely on Wednesday said top leaders of his party and the INDIA bloc will address the “maha rally” scheduled on March 31 at Ramlila Maidan against the “misuse” of Central probe agencies against Opposition leaders by the BJP-led Centre.

Political leaders from various parties are also expected to raise their voice against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Read more

AAP MLAs are getting calls asking them to leave the party or face consequences, party national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak claimed on Thursday, ahead of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s remand hearing by a court here.

The BJP is resorting to “hooliganism” and this will harm the country, he said in a post on X in Hindi.

“AAP MLAs are being called. They are being told ‘you will get whatever you want, and if you don’t come, it will not be good for you’. The people of Delhi and Punjab voted for Kejriwal with high hopes. The BJP is doing this ‘goondagardi’ not with a party but with the country,” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said. - PTI

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, will be produced before the Rouse Avenue Court on the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate custodial remand on Thursday.The Delhi Chief Minister will be produced before the Court later today. Additionally, the Delhi High Court will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) praying for the removal of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of chief minister of the government of NCT of Delhi on Thursday. 

The Bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday. - ANI

Meanwhile, wife of jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Sunita said that her husband, who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged excise scam, will reveal the truth regarding the case in court on March 28. Read more

Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena on Wednesday said the Delhi government “won’t be run from jail”, drawing a sharp reaction from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which said no constitutional provision bars it.

Finance Minister and AAP leader Atishi accused the BJP of conspiring to impose President’s Rule in Delhi. Read more

Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, posted a video message on the CM’s X account on Wednesday, where she relayed a message from her husband: “While my body is in jail, my spirit is with the people of Delhi.”

“Close your eyes, and you will feel my presence around you,” Ms. Kejriwal said, relaying her husband’s message with her eyes closed and hands folded. Read more

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa unit chief Amit Palekar and some of his party colleagues from the State for recording their statements in connection with ​the Delhi excise policy case​.

It is learnt that they have been asked to appear before the agency officials in Goa capital Panjim on Thursday. The development comes days after the party’s national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED for his alleged role in the case. ​Read more​