The arrest of Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has heated up Delhi. There was also a violent clash between AAP leaders and activists with the police on Friday. The police have also arrested some people. AAP has announced a four-day protest program including laying siege to the Prime Minister’s residence in protest against Kejriwal’s arrest. Meanwhile, the court has granted a seven-day remand to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in the excise corruption case.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced Kejriwal, who was arrested in the excise corruption case, in Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi. During the hearing of the case before the Special CBI Court Judge Kaveri Bawejar on Friday, they requested the chief minister to take their custody for 10 days. After the hearing, the judge remanded him in custody till March 28 and allowed him to be questioned.
News from Anandabazar Patrika, NDTV, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Zee News.
Security in Delhi has already been beefed up amid fears of chaos from AAP’s programme. Three levels of security are in place in front of the BJP headquarters. Central Delhi vehicles are advised to use alternative roads to avoid traffic jams.
According to the Delhi Metro, on the advice of the police, ITO decided to close the metro station from 8 am to 6 pm.
The AAP’s protest on the issue of Chief Minister’s arrest was intense since Friday morning. AAP held a protest program outside the BJP headquarters at 10 am to protest the arrest of the Chief Minister of Delhi.
The headquarters of BJP and AAP are located on Deendayal Upadhyay (DDU) Marg in Delhi. Considering the situation, Delhi Police DCP Central M Harshvardhan issued section 144 on Deendayal Upadhyay Marg. AAP activists clashed with the police. The police have also arrested some people.
Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi had an altercation and scuffle with the police. Delhi minister Atishi Marlena, the UP leader, was arrested during the protest near the ITO on Friday. Then Punjab Minister Harjo Bains, another Delhi Minister Imran Hussain were arrested.
AAP leaders say that they are holding a peaceful protest but the police are arresting them unjustly. AAP convenor in Delhi, Gopal Rai, one of Kejriwal’s cabinet members, termed the arrest as “murder of democracy” and “declaration of dictatorship”.
He said that all those who are against BJP’s dictatorial policies should participate in this protest program.
Meanwhile, in an announcement in the evening, Gopal Rai said that the party members, along with leaders of the opposition Bharat Bloc, will hold a rally tomorrow at 10 am on Saturday at Shahid Park, ITO, Delhi, to protest against the arrest of the Chief Minister.
He says tomorrow, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru’s Martyrdom Day. They sacrificed their lives for the country. To commemorate this day on March 23, we will hold a protest rally at Shaheed Park, ITO.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will also attend the rally. Effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be burnt across the city on March 24. He also said that instead of celebrating Holi on March 25, the party leaders would “go door to door and meet the people and tell them about the activities of the BJP.”
He also said that the Prime Minister’s house will be surrounded on March 26. Protests will be held outside his house. A ‘Mega Protest’ rally will also be held at an all-India level.
Center Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appeared for the ED in the court on Friday. ED claims in court that Kejriwal is the ‘kingpin of excise corruption’. He has been arrested under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Opposing the AAP chief’s bail, the ED also said that Kejriwal was directly involved in the crime. The excise policy was formulated to take bribes from some businessmen. The ED also claimed that AAP used excise ‘corruption’ money in the Goa elections.
ED had summoned Kejriwal nine times in Delhi excise case. But eight times he skipped attendance. Kejriwal went to the Delhi lower court seeking protection in the excise case. His application was also granted there. But that protection recently expired.
On the ninth day of appearance on Thursday, Kejriwal went directly to the High Court instead of going to the ED office. He demanded new protection there. But the Delhi High Court rejected Kejriwal’s plea.
Kejriwal said in the petition submitted to the court, ED must assure that no strict action will be taken against me if I respond to their summons.
The ED acted only after the High Court did not grant him protection. ED officials along with a large police force went to Kejriwal’s residence on Thursday evening. According to ED sources, Kejriwal’s phone has also been seized. After a couple of hours of searching and questioning, he was arrested.
This is the first time that an Indian Chief Minister has been arrested while in office. After Kejriwal’s arrest, Section 144 was imposed in the Chief Minister’s residence area in the capital.
AAP informed that he will not resign from the post of Chief Minister. If necessary, he will run the government sitting in jail. On the other hand, AAP on Friday claimed that Kejriwal’s family has been kept under house arrest. Delhi Minister Gopal Rai claimed that Kejriwal is being prevented from meeting his family members.
How was the first night?
A source in the Central Investigation Agency said, the small ax. There were two mattresses on his floor. After the arrest, the chief minister spent the night in that small room at the headquarters of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi. He has been asked there, what medicine does he take? It is also asked if there is any other need. CC cameras are installed in small rooms. Two officers have been assigned to monitor the footage of that camera day and night.
The ED said outside food is not allowed for security reasons. He was given food from the canteen inside the headquarters.
Mamata condemned the arrest
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the arrest of Kejriwal in a post on social media on Friday. In the expost, Mamata wrote, “I strongly condemn the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was elected by the people. I personally contacted Sunita Kejriwal (Arvind Kejriwal’s wife) and gave a message of support. Opposition Chief Ministers are being selectively arrested. But if they are in alliance with BJP, the people accused in the investigation of ED, CBI are also getting exemption, they can continue the corruption. This cannot be accepted. It is a cruel blow to democracy.
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