/ground-report/media/post_banners/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Source-Canva-58.webp)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought legal intervention from the Delhi High Court to prevent any ‘coercive action’ by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) amidst the excise policy case. The plea follows his legal team’s assertion that Kejriwal is prepared to cooperate with the ED investigation, provided he receives assurances against arrest. The request comes against the backdrop of AAP leaders Sanjay Jain and Manish Sisodia’s arrests, which have raised concerns within the Aam Aadmi Party about the potential arrest of Kejriwal himself.
Who replaces Kejriwal as Delhi's CM if arrested today?
The political landscape in Delhi faces uncertainty as speculation arises about who might succeed Kejriwal should he be detained. Prominent names within the AAP, such as Raghav Chaddha, Aatishi Marlena, and Kailash Gehlot, are being considered alongside Sunita Kejriwal, the Chief Minister’s wife.
The conjecture gained momentum following comments by Senior BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who suggested that Kejriwal’s reluctance to appear before the ED was part of a strategy to secure his wife’s position as the next Chief Minister.
"Delhi CM Kejriwal wants to join the ED investigation and cooperate with the agency. But, we believe that the ED is not an independent agency. It does not want to conduct an investigation. It is a political tool of the BJP," AAP minister Atishi charged in a new message.
The Delhi minister alleged that the probe agency aims to arrest Kejriwal and stop his campaigning for Lok Sabha polls.
ED officials stated that they visited Kejriwal's residence to serve him a summons in the case. However, reports indicated that the officials conducted a raid at Kejriwal's residence with a search warrant. Reports also suggested the potential interrogation of Kejriwal. Since last year, the chief minister has repeatedly missed multiple summons issued by the agency.
“It seems like there is a raid going on in Kejriwal's residence. The way they are not allowing anyone to enter it looks like they are preparing for Kejriwal's arrest,” Saurabh Bhardwaj said.
Atishi reached the spot and questioned the heavy police barricading around Kejriwal's residence. “They have not searched for the first time. If you didn't bring so much force to arrest Kejriwal, then why have you brought it,” Atishi said.
Kejriwal seeks Supreme Court help
Hours after refusing to grant protection from arrest to Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, the Delhi High Court has now received news that a team from the Enforcement Directorate reached the chief minister's residence and began questioning him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Sources informed NDTV that the team, consisting of 12 officials, is inside the residence with a search warrant. Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Delhi minister, also arrived at the spot on Thursday evening.
"The way the police are inside and nobody is being allowed in, it seems like a raid is being conducted. It seems they have planned to arrest Arvind Kejriwal," Mr Bharadwaj said.
The ED team is questioning the residents of the Delhi Chief Minister less than a week after the arrest of BRS leader K Kavitha in the liquor policy case. Following her arrest, the case named Mr Kejriwal as a conspirator for the first time.
Ever since the Enforcement Directorate issued the first summons in October last year and asked him to appear on November 2, intense speculation has existed that the agency would arrest the Delhi chief minister.
The Delhi High Court had declined to give Mr Kejriwal protection from arrest in the liquor policy case on Thursday. However, it had ordered the ED to respond to his petition. A bench comprised of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain listed the matter for the next hearing on April 22. They stated, "We have listened to both parties, but we are not willing to grant protection at this stage. The respondent (ED) is free to respond."
Keep Reading
Supporting Farmers A Crime? Asks AAP After Arvind Kejriwal Put On House Arrest
No vaccination for 18+ category in Delhi on May 1: Arvind Kejriwal
Free COVID-19 vaccine for those age above 18 years in Delhi: CM
AAP to contest Gujarat Election, Kejriwal promises new model of Gujarat
COVID-19: Lockdown extended for one more week in Delhi
Follow Ground Report for Environmental News From India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected] and subscribe our free newsletter.
Don’t forget to check out our climate glossary, it helps in learning difficult environmental terms in simple language.
