ED Arrested Arvind Kejriwal in Liquor Probe, Will Remain Delhi CM: Atishi
The ED action caused a major political stir as AAP leaders feared Kejriwal's arrest and moved the Supreme Court.
An Enforcement Directorate (ED) team on Thursday reached Arvind Kejriwal ‘s Civil Lines residence, hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to Kejriwal from any coercive action.
The ED action caused a major political stir as AAP leaders feared Kejriwal’s arrest and moved the Supreme Court. Security was beefed up around Kejriwal’s residence as AAP supporters took to the streets against the ED action and Delhi ministers camped outside the chief minister’s residence.
AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj confirmed the news and said that Kejriwal will continue to work as Delhi CM even from jail. Atishi also said that the party has filed a case in the Supreme Court and demanded immediate hearing. It has come to our notice that Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by ED. We have consistently said that he will continue to rule Delhi even from behind bars.
He will retain his post as Chief Minister of Delhi. We have filed a case in the Supreme Court. Our lawyers are reaching SC. Atishi told reporters, “We will demand an immediate hearing from the Supreme Court tonight.”
The ED has alleged that the South Group had paid a bribe of ₹100 crore in advance to Vijay Nair (the then communications in-charge of AAP), who was managing the scheme and conspiracy on behalf of AAP leaders.
The agency had said in a court document last year that – “Vijay Nair is not an ordinary worker of the Aam Aadmi Party, but a close aide of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal…”.
Citing the statement of businessman Sameer Mahendru, the ED has said that the excise policy was the “brainchild” of Kejriwal. It said that when, to verify Nair’s clout in the Delhi government, Mahendru asked him to meet Kejriwal, a FaceTime call was arranged by Nair with the CM. ED has claimed that Kejriwal told Mahendru during this video call that Vijay is his son and he should trust him.
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