Delhi CM handed over on remand; announces to govern from jail

DELHI: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in relation to a liquor policy bribery case entangled with the defunct Delhi liquor policy.

This unprecedented move marked the first time a sitting Chief Minister in India has been apprehended in such circumstances, sending shockwaves across the political spectrum. This is especially important in the backdrop of the upcoming general elections in the country.

Bleeding edge: first ever social media post generated by thought

Following his arrest, Kejriwal was promptly escorted to the ED headquarters in Delhi, where he faced a series of questioning sessions regarding the alleged financial irregularities.

The arrest triggered a swift response from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the political entity to which Kejriwal is affiliated. AAP Minister Atishi wasted no time in asserting that despite Kejriwal’s confinement, he would continue to discharge his duties as the Chief Minister of Delhi, even from behind bars, citing a lack of legal provisions barring him from doing so.

In a bid to challenge Kejriwal’s detention, the AAP has taken the matter to the Indian Supreme Court to quash the arrest. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings continued as Kejriwal was presented before a special court yesterday, where the ED pressed for his custody to facilitate further interrogation, a request that was evidently granted.

Meanwhile, protests and impassioned sloganeering played out outside Kejriwal’s residence, which also led to AAP lawmaker Rakhi Birla’s detainment by the police.

In a subsequent update on Saturday (today), it emerged that Kejriwal has been remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate for a duration of six days. The Enforcement Directorate, in court proceedings, categorically labelled the Chief Minister of Delhi as the central figure in the controversial liquor policy bribery case, underscoring the gravity of the allegations levelled against him.

Explainer: Why did ISIS attack a Moscow theater?

Meanwhile, the broader political landscape of India continues to be roiled by discontent. Opposition parties, rallying against what they perceive as the increasingly authoritarian tendencies of the Modi administration, have orchestrated nationwide protests. Indian media outlets have been abuzz with reports detailing the growing dissent against what critics decry as “dictatorial policies.”

Adding fuel to the fiery political climate, the AAP has announced plans to besiege the Prime Minister’s residence on March 26.