The day following Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, his wife conveyed a message

Arvind Kejriwal, the founder of the Aam Aadmi Party a decade ago with an anti-corruption agenda, remained in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody overnight

In New Delhi, a day following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate on charges of alleged corruption related to liquor licenses, his wife Sunita Kejriwal condemned the action as a "betrayal of the people of Delhi." She asserted, "Your Chief Minister has always stood by you. "In every circumstance, his commitment remains unwavering towards the nation. The public is well aware of all aspects," stated in a post on X.

Kejriwal, the founder of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) a decade ago on an anti-corruption stance, spent the previous night in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). His party dismissed the arrest as "a desperate attempt to tarnish" Kejriwal's image.

The Enforcement Directorate's move followed the Delhi High Court's refusal to grant Kejriwal protection from coercive action in the money laundering case linked to excise policy.

Before a court decision on Kejriwal's detention, he remarked, "My life is dedicated to the country, whether I am inside or outside."

Ignoring nine summons from the central agency, Kejriwal, 55, faces trial alongside three senior party members in the same case. His arrest prompted hundreds of AAP supporters to protest.

AAP insists Kejriwal won't resign as Delhi Chief Minister and will continue his duties even from jail, though prison sources indicate adherence to jail regulations.

Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena Singh affirmed Kejriwal's continuance in office, stating, "We made it clear from the beginning that if needed, Arvind Kejriwal will run the government from jail."

During a trial court session, the Enforcement Directorate labeled Kejriwal as the "kingpin" of the alleged liquor policy scam, seeking a ten-day custody.

 

Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, criticized the arrest, highlighting it as the first time a sitting chief minister has been detained, and argued against its necessity.

The case regarding Delhi's liquor policy revolves around corruption and money laundering in the creation and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later canceled.

Kejriwal's name has frequently appeared in charge sheets filed by the ED, alleging that he was in communication with the accused in formulating the excise policy in exchange for kickbacks.

Kejriwal's arrest coincides with the arrest of BRS leader K Kavitha by the ED, who allegedly conspired with top AAP leaders for favors in excise policy, including a payment of ₹100 crore to AAP leaders, as per ED allegations.