In a significant development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the ongoing liquor policy case. The arrest came shortly after the Delhi High Court declined to provide Kejriwal with protection from arrest, prompting the agency to take action.
The sequence of events leading to Kejriwal’s arrest sheds light on the complexity of the case:
– November 2021: The Delhi government implements a new excise policy.
– July 8, 2022: The Delhi Chief Secretary reports gross violations in the policy.
– July 22, 2022: The Delhi Lieutenant Governor recommends a CBI probe into the alleged violations.
– August 19, 2022: The CBI conducts raids on then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and three others.
– August 22, 2022: The Enforcement Directorate initiates a money laundering case related to the liquor policy.
– September 2022: Aam Aadmi Party communications head Vijay Nair is arrested by the CBI.
– March 2023: The Enforcement Directorate arrests then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
– October 2023: AAP leader Sanjay Singh is arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.
– October 2023: The ED sends its first summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
– March 16, 2024: Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha is arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.
Today’s developments unfolded as Kejriwal skipped the ED’s summons for the ninth time in the Delhi liquor policy case. Subsequently, the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant him protection from arrest paved the way for the ED’s action. Following a search and questioning at his residence, Kejriwal was taken into custody by the enforcement agency.
The arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister marks a significant turn in the ongoing investigation, raising questions about the future trajectory of the case and its potential impact on the political landscape of the national capital. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.
