Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED in liquor policy money laundering case

Kejriwal had skipped the agency’s summonses nine times. Earlier on Thursday, The Delhi High Court refused to grant him interim protection from coercive action by the ED.

He was arrested under the Prevention of Mondy Laundering Act (PMLA), the fourth person after AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh and BRS MLC, K Kavitha.

ED officials reached Kejriwal’s residence Thursday evening and began a search. By that time, the top AAP leaders had assembled at the residence in support.

Gradually a crowd build-up began and the police had to detain some people to ensure things did not get out of hand.

Also read: Kejriwal skips fifth summons

ED summons details

To date, the ED has issued nine summons to Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to join the investigation into the alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor excise policy scam—on March 4, February 26, February 19, February 2, January 18, January 3, and December 22 and November 2 last year.

On Sunday, the probe agency issued a fresh summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to appear before it on March 21 for questioning, which he skipped.

Also read: Kavitha sent to ED custody

AAP reactions

AAP leader Sanjay Singh’s wife, Anita Singh, said, “This government (present central government) is just a dictatorial government. If they want to put all the opposition leaders in jail, then what is the need to hold elections?

“Arvind Kejriwal’s house has been raided, and security has been increased; all the phones found have been confiscated. So this is how the dictatorial government is putting everyone in jail without any proof.”

AAP leader Raghav Chadha said, “Just before the Lok Sabha elections, a huge conspiracy is going on to arrest Arvind Kejriwal ji.”

Delhi Minister Imran Hussain said, “It’s very unfortunate. It’s a conspiracy to stop the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. The people of Delhi love Arvind Kejriwal, and they’ll respond to the BJP.”