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Arrest of Arvind Kejriwal

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Arvind Kejriwal
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Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, India, was arrested on 21 March 2024 around 09:00 pm IST after not responding to nine summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor scam, becoming the first sitting chief minister in Indian history to be arrested.[1][2][3] He was given interim bail by the Supreme Court of India from 10 May 2024 to 1 June 2024 to campaign for 2024 Indian general election.[4][5] Kejriwal surrendered at the Tihar Jail on 2 June 2024 after the expiration of this bail.[6] A Delhi trial court granted bail to Kejriwal on 20 June, which was stayed by the Delhi High Court on 21 June before he could be released.[7] Kejriwal was questioned for three days and arrested on 26 June 2024 by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from Tihar Jail and subsequently was sent to judicial custody till 12 July.[8][9] The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam on 12 July 2024, but he remained in Tihar Jail as he was also arrested by CBI in corruption case related to the alleged liquor policy scam.[10][11] The Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal on 13 September 2024 in the CBI corruption case after serving more than five months in prison.[12][13]

Background

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Further information: Delhi liquor scam

In June 2022, a batch of complaints alleging a “multi-crore scam” in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy were filed, one of which was filed with the Delhi Police by former Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar Chaudhary.[14] Kejriwal and his allies had been accused by political rivals, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of selling liquor licences and receiving kickbacks from private vendors. The ED had alleged that it had evidence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) receiving millions of dollars from a liquor group.[15] Several high-ranking members of the AAP had previously been arrested in connection with the scam, including the then Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia in March 2023.[16]

Arrest

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Kejriwal received nine summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the investigation into the Delhi excise policy case.[17] Kejriwal skipped all of the summons. After he skipped the eight summon, on 7 March the ED filed a second complaint against him in a Delhi magistrate court, for repeatedly skipping its summons, which directed him to appear physically on 16 March.[18][19] Kejriwal moved a sessions court challenging the magistrate courts' order and the two ED complaints, but the sessions court did not grant exemption from physical appearance.[20][21] Kejriwal then appeared physically on 16 March in the magistrate court where he was granted bail for not complying with the eight ED summons.[22] Following the ninth summon, Kejriwal filed a plea in the Delhi High Court challenging this summon and seeking protection from coercive action, which the High Court rejected on March 21.[23][24]

Kejriwal was arrested on 21 March 2024 at 9 pm IST following a raid on his home by the ED. As he was being taken away, supporters and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers were protesting outside his residence.[25][26] AAP leaders alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party collected protection money of worth ₹60 crore (US$7.2 million) in the form of electoral bonds from the alleged liquor scam kingpin Sarath Chandra Reddy's Aurobindo Pharma Limited per a report who later became an approver.[27] Kejriwal was remanded until 28 March 2024, and remained in the custody of the ED.[28] The Delhi High Court dismissed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition against his arrest.[29][30][31][32][33]

On 10 May, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail on the case till 1 June 2024 in view of campaigning for 2024 Indian general election.[34][35] Kejriwal surrendered at the Tihar Jail on 2 June 2024 after the expiration of this bail.[6] A Delhi trial court granted bail to Kejriwal on 20 June but the bail was stayed by the Delhi High Court on 21 June before he could be released.[7] Kejriwal was questioned for 3 days and arrested on 26 June 2024 by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from Tihar Jail and subsequently was sent to judicial custody till 12 July.[8][9] The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam on 12 July 2024, however, he remained in Tihar Jail as he was also arrested by CBI in corruption case related to the alleged liquor policy scam.[10][11]

A two-judge Supreme Court bench granted him bail in the CBI corruption case on 13 September 2024.[12] The bench held that continued incarceration would violate his right to liberty.[36][37] However he served in prison for more than 5 months.[38]

Reaction

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Domestic

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The arrest caused numerous protests in Delhi on 26 March 2024, with AAP supporters marching to the Prime Minister's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg while BJP supporters demanding Kejriwal's resignation marched to the Secretariat Building, New Delhi.[28]

Prominent opposition leaders have voiced strong opposition to Kejriwal's arrest, framing it as part of a broader authoritarian trend under the current government. Rahul Gandhi, for instance, described the central government's actions as those of a "scared dictator" aiming to create a "dead democracy".[39][40]

Raaj Kumar Anand resigned as minister of social welfare from the Delhi cabinet and also tendered his resignation from the AAP. He said that did not want his name to be associated with “corruption” after Delhi High Court's rejection of Kejriwal's bail.[41]

International

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  •  United Nations:
    • UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, "We very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair."[42]
  •  United States:
    • United States Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "We continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. We are also aware of the Congress party's allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections." A spokesperson for the United States Department of State said that the US was closely following reports of Kejriwal's arrest and that they "encourage a fair, transparent, and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal".[43]
      • In response, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India's legal processes were "based on an independent judiciary" and that they were "committed to objective and timely outcomes."[44]
  •  Germany:
    • A spokesperson for the German Federal Foreign Office said Germany "takes note" of Kejriwal's arrest and expected that the "standards relating to independence of judiciary and basic democratic principles" will also apply to this case.
      • In response, the MEA said that the remarks were seen as "interfering in our judicial process" and "undermining the independence of our judiciary".[43]
  • Amnesty International, an international human rights group said that the arrest of Kejriwal and the "freezing of Indian National Congress’ bank accounts", a few weeks before India's general elections showed "the authorities’ blatant failure to uphold the country’s international human rights obligations".[45][46]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal arrested by Enforcement Directorate in Delhi Excise policy case". The Hindu. PTI. 21 March 2024. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ Sehran, Sohil (21 March 2024). "Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED in excise policy case". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Highlights: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sent to ED custody till March 28 in liquor policy case". The Times of India. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal Interim Bail Hearing LIVE Updates: Arvind Kejriwal Gets Interim Bail Till June 1". NDTV.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  5. ^ "SC grants interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal till June 1 in excise policy case". The Indian Express. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Arvind Kejriwal surrenders at Tihar jail after interim bail ends, says don't know when will I return". 2 June 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Big Setback For Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi High Court Pauses Bail Order". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrested by CBI from Tihar jail - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Excise policy case: Arvind Kejriwal sent to 14-day judicial custody of CBI". The Times of India. 29 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  10. ^ a b "SC grants interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, refers plea challenging ED arrest to larger Bench". The Hindu. 12 July 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Arvind Kejriwal Supreme Court Verdict Live Updates: SC grants interim bail, but Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to remain in Tihar jail". The Times of India. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Arvind Kejriwal: Bail for Delhi chief minister after five months in jail". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal: Bail for Delhi chief minister after five months in jail". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Congress's Kejriwal dilemma deepens as it balances ties with AAP – friends in Delhi, foes in Punjab". 23 March 2024.
  15. ^ Shih, Gerry (21 March 2024). "India arrests Delhi chief minister as crackdown on opposition spreads". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  16. ^ PTI (9 March 2023). "Delhi excise policy case | ED arrests Manish Sisodia on money laundering charges". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  17. ^ Kakkar, Shruti (20 March 2024). ""Why don't you appear on receiving ED summons": Delhi HC asks Arvind Kejriwal". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  18. ^ Mishra, Ishita (6 March 2024). "ED files fresh plaint against Kejriwal in court". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Delhi court directs CM Arvind Kejriwal to physically appear on March 16". The Hindu. 7 March 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  20. ^ PTI (14 March 2024). "Delhi excise scam case | Arvind Kejriwal moves sessions court challenging summons issued to him on ED complaint". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  21. ^ Mishra, Ishita (15 March 2024). "Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea seeking exemption to skip ED summons". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal granted bail in ED cases against him for skipping agency summons". The Hindu. 16 March 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal moves Delhi High Court challenging ED summons in money-laundering case". The Hindu. 19 March 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Delhi high court refuses to grant CM Arvind Kejriwal protection from coercive action in liquor policy case". Hindustan Times. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  25. ^ Mogul, Rhea (21 March 2024). "Delhi chief arrested as opposition party alleges 'huge conspiracy' ahead of Indian election". CNN. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Delhi chief minister Kejriwal arrested in liquor graft case". Reuters.
  27. ^ "AAP asks BJP why did it take ₹60-crore bribe from 'Delhi liquor scam kingpin'". 24 March 2024.
  28. ^ a b Mahajan, Satvika; Tewari, Samridhi (26 March 2024). "High drama in Delhi as AAP, BJP hold protests". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  29. ^ Jaiswal, Arushi (1 April 2024). "CM Arvind Kejriwal will not resign, to run government from jail: AAP". India TV. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Can Arvind Kejriwal run govt from jail? Experts have different opinions". The Times of India. 28 March 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  31. ^ Jain, Aishvarya (9 April 2024). ""Judges Not Bound By Politics": High Court Dismisses Arvind Kejriwal's Petition". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  32. ^ Anand, Akriti (9 April 2024). "'Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in liquor case valid': Delhi HC rejects CM's plea". mint. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  33. ^ Ojha, Srishti (9 April 2024). "Arvind Kejriwal's plea against arrest dismissed, court says he 'conspired'". India Today. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal gets interim bail till June 1 for election campaigning". The Times of India. 10 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  35. ^ The Hindu (10 May 2024). "Arvind Kejriwal bail | Grant of interim bail is based on individual facts of each case, Supreme Court notes". Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  36. ^ Rajagopal, Krishnadas (13 September 2024). "Arvind Kejriwal bail: Supreme Court grants bail to Kejriwal in Delhi excise policy case". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  37. ^ Jain, Debby (13 September 2024). "Supreme Court Grants Bail To Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal In CBI Case". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  38. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal: Bail for Delhi chief minister after five months in jail". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  39. ^ "Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Highlights: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sent to ED custody till March 28 in liquor policy case". The Times of India. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  40. ^ Paranjape, Makarand R. (15 April 2024). "With Kejriwal in jail, Aam Aadmi Party's future is uncertain". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  41. ^ "Delhi Minister Raaj Kumar Anand turns on Kejriwal as he quits AAP". The Hindu. PTI. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  42. ^ Abbas, Ajmal (29 March 2024). "UN reacts to Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, hopes 'everyone's rights are protected'". India Today.
  43. ^ a b "US encourages 'fair, transparent' process for arrested Indian opposition figure". Reuters. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  44. ^ "India rejects remarks by US, Germany on opposition leader Kejriwal's arrest". Al Jazeera. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  45. ^ Mogul, Rhea (28 March 2024). "India summons US State Department official over call for fair legal treatment of arrested opposition leader". CNN. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  46. ^ "India: Crackdown on opposition reaches a crisis point ahead of national elections". Amnesty International. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
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