During a protest organized by the Aam Aadmi Party against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Atishi were detained by the Delhi police.
Expressing their concerns, Saurabh Bharadwaj emphasized the need for Kejriwal to have access to legal representation and to be able to meet with his family. He also highlighted the alleged house arrest of Kejriwal’s family members.
The AAP staged the protest at the ITO in the national capital following Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the excise policy case.
Atishi took to social media to announce her detention by the Delhi Police during the peaceful protest at ITO. She expressed frustration over the arrest of peaceful protesters following the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister, questioning the state of democracy in such circumstances.
The Enforcement Directorate’s visit to Kejriwal’s residence led to his arrest after he failed to obtain interim protection from arrest from the Delhi High Court in the liquor policy case.
In response to Kejriwal’s arrest, the Supreme Court agreed to hear his plea against the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. The plea challenges the legality of his arrest in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case, which is linked to a money laundering investigation.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi urgently mentioned Kejriwal’s plea before the Supreme Court bench, emphasizing the need for timely intervention to prevent further arrests of senior leaders.
The Delhi High Court had previously declined to provide Kejriwal with protection from coercive action in the money laundering case related to the excise policy. Kejriwal had approached the court after receiving the ninth summons from the Enforcement Directorate.
The case revolves around allegations of corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later annulled. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are currently in judicial custody as part of the investigation into the case.
