A special Supreme Court bench, led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, will hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night in connection with a money-laundering probe related to the Delhi liquor policy scam case.
AAP Alleges House Arrest of Kejriwal’s Family
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi’s minister Gopal Rai claimed that Arvind Kejriwal’s family had been placed under “house arrest.” Rai asserted that authorities prevented him from visiting Kejriwal’s family, raising questions about the legality of such actions.
Other AAP leaders echoed similar concerns, alleging that the central government was denying access to Kejriwal’s family members.
Atishi, another AAP leader, labeled Kejriwal’s arrest as a political conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP.
BJP Criticizes Kejriwal and AAP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) countered AAP’s claims, accusing Kejriwal and the party of playing the victim card.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonwalla questioned AAP’s narrative, highlighting court rejections of bail for other AAP members involved in the case. He also criticized AAP’s stance on Kejriwal continuing to govern from jail, terming it an insult to the people of Delhi, law, and democracy.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur condemned AAP’s assertion that Kejriwal would govern from jail, deeming it disrespectful to the citizens of Delhi and democratic principles. Thakur also criticized AAP’s failure to cooperate with the investigation, alleging their involvement in the liquor scam.
The developments underscore the intense political tensions surrounding Kejriwal’s arrest and its implications for Delhi’s governance and the broader political landscape.
AAP Expresses Concern Over Arvind Kejriwal’s Safety in ED Custody
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) voiced uncertainty regarding the safety of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), citing threat perception and the removal of his Z+ security cover.
Delhi Minister Atishi raised concerns about Kejriwal’s safety, emphasizing that as a sitting chief minister with Z+ security, his security details should be maintained even in custody. She questioned whether the ED could ensure Kejriwal’s safety after his security cover was removed.
Atishi criticized the BJP-led Union government for Kejriwal’s arrest, suggesting it was politically motivated ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. She asserted that the BJP feared Kejriwal as the only leader capable of challenging and defeating them.
Furthermore, Atishi alleged a pattern of targeting AAP leaders by the BJP, noting that charges were dropped against those who joined the BJP while others faced harassment and arrest. She accused the government of using agencies like the ED and CBI to intimidate opposition parties and manipulate elections.
In response, BJP leader Neoma Gupta defended the ED’s actions, stating that Kejriwal ignored multiple summons, justifying his arrest. Gupta criticized Kejriwal for not addressing questions related to the excise policy and suggested he should resign.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED for his alleged involvement in irregularities related to the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, following the denial of interim protection by the high court. The exchange underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding Kejriwal’s arrest and its implications for governance and electoral dynamics.
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