Arvind Kejriwal spends night at probe agency headquarters ahead of Supreme Court hearing today

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called for nationwide protests.

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal spent the night at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office yesterday after he was booked in a money laundering case related to irregularities in the repealed Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 catch.

Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday after investigating agencies conducted a search warrant at his official residence on Flagstaff Road in the Civil Lines area of ​​the national capital. As is customary before appearing in court, medical staff from the investigating agency’s office also conducted a routine examination of the 55-year-old man.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has called for nationwide protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and termed Kejriwal’s arrest as a “murder of democracy” and a “declaration of dictatorship”.

A special bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Bela Trivedi and MM Sundresh will hear Mr Kejriwal’s plea today. The Delhi chief minister is also expected to appear before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court, while the education ministry may seek 10 days of detention for further questioning.

Security has been tightened around the ED office and the chief minister’s official residence, with the Delhi Police and CRPF setting up more roadblocks in anticipation of the planned protests.

The excise tax abolition comes as part of a sweeping overhaul of the capital’s liquor industry, promising a more modern shopping experience with discounts and deals. However, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena ordered an investigation into the alleged irregularities, leading to the policy being withdrawn. AAP accused Mr Saxena’s predecessor Anil Baijal of making last-minute changes that adversely affected the policy’s revenue expectations.

Two prominent AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh have been placed in judicial custody in connection with the case. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 last year, while Rajya Sabha MP Singh was arrested by the Education Ministry on October 5.