NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate produced Arvind Kejriwal before trial court for remand on Friday. This came after Kejriwal withdrew his petition filed against the arrest from the Supreme Court as it was clashing with the remand, advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Kejriwal said.
During the ongoing hearing, ED told court that the Delhi CM demanded Rs 100 crore from some accused from ‘South group’ for Punjab elections. ED is seeking ten day custody of Kejriwal in the case.
Referring to the previous arrests made by the ED in this case, it said to the court that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was liable for role of his ministers.
ED’s arrest came hours after Delhi high court turned down Kejriwal’s plea seeking protection from any coercive action by the agency, which had issued nine summonses to him to face questions arising from their investigation into the excise policy case.
Here are the key developments:
Kejriwal withdraws petition from SC against arrest
Arvind Kejriwal withdrew his petition against ED’s arrest from the Supreme Court. His counsel said that he would challenge the remand proceedings in the trial court before returning to the Supreme Court with a new plea.
Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, raised the issue before a bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, stating that because the remand proceedings before the trial court later in the day would clash with the hearing in the top court, he should be permitted to withdraw the petition.
SC allows ED to produce Kejriwal before trial court for remand
The Supreme Court allowed ED to present Arvind Kejriwal before trial court for remand after solicitor general Tushar Mehta claimed that he had advised ED not to take any further action until the Kejriwal’s appeal is pending before the SC.
AAP calls for nation wide protest over Kejriwal’s arrest
Terming the arrest a “murder of democracy”, AAP minister Gopal Rai called for a nation wide protest at 10am on Friday at the BJP headquarters.
“If the BJP thinks that they can finish the Aam Aadmi Party and threaten the entire Opposition by arresting Arvind Kejriwal, then they are wrong…A battle has begun. We have decided that we will stage a protest at the BJP headquarters at 10 am…,”Rai said.
“This (arrest) is a murder of democracy and an example of dictatorship in this country. If Arvind Kejriwal can be arrested then every child in this country can be arrested and his voice can be suppressed,” he added.
Police detains Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj during protest
Delhi police detained the protesting AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday after they refused to follow the prohibitory orders imposed in the area under section 144.
Condemning the arrest, Atishi said in a post on X, “I have been detained by Delhi Police while peacefully protesting at ITO. First, these people arrest the Chief Minister of Delhi in false cases, and now those participating in peaceful protests are also being arrested. If this isn’t the murder of democracy, then what is?”
Rahul Gandhi reaches out to Kejriwal’s family
According to party sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi contacted Arvind Kejriwal’s family to assure them of his and the grand old party’s support.
He might meet Kejriwal’s family and offer legal assistance, as per the sources.
INDIA bloc to meet EC to express strong objection to Kejriwal’s arrest
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemned Kejriwal’s arrest calling it “outrageous”. She said that INDIA bloc would meet the Election Commission to express “strong objection” against the arrest of opposition leaders, “particularly during the MCC period.”
In a post on X, Mamata said, “I vehemently condemn the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the sitting elected Chief Minister of Delhi elected by the people. I have personally reached out to Smt Sunita Kejriwal to extend my unwavering support and solidarity.”
Calling the act an “assault on democracy”, she said, “It’s outrageous that while elected opposition CMs are being deliberately targeted and arrested while individuals accused under CBI/ED investigations are allowed to continue their malpractices with impunity, especially after aligning with the BJP. This is a blatant assault on democracy.”
“Today, our INDIA alliance will meet the EC to express our strong objection to the deliberate targeting and arrests of opposition leaders, particularly during the MCC period,” she added.
— MamataOfficial (@MamataOfficial)
Delhi Metro’s ITO station shut till 6 pm today
Delhi Metro’s ITO station will be out of bounds for commuters as it will be shut from 8am to 6pm today, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) informed in a post on X.
“On advice of Delhi Police, ITO Metro station will remain closed from 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM today i.e, 22nd March 2024,” the post read.
Traffic advisory issued
Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory Friday morning via its official social media account, urging motorists to steer clear of specific routes in central Delhi.
“In view of the proposed protest by Political party at DDU Marg Delhi, Traffic will remain heavy at IP Marg, Vikas Marg, Minto Road and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,” Delhi Traffic Police said in a post on X.
