Arvind Kejriwal news Highlights: 'CM's arrest will benefit AAP electorally,' says Atishi

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: "The ED, which has been investigating for two years, had no answers to the questions of Arvind Kejriwal's lawyers and the Delhi High Court today, so they sought time from the court. Delhi High Court has also raised questions on the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. We also welcome the fact that the Delhi High Court has given only one week's time to the ED to file its reply..." Atishi said.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Soon after AAP's lone Lok Sabha MP from Punjab and an MLA joined the BJP on Wednesday, three AAP legislators from the state claimed that they received calls offering them money to join the BJP.

The Aam Aadmi Party alleged that the BJP had "again started Operation Lotus" in Punjab and was trying to break Arvind Kejriwal's party. There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on the allegations.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Delhi cabinet minister Atishi on Thursday said if President's Rule is imposed in the national capital in the aftermath of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, it would be a clear case of "political vendetta".

The Delhi government will not be run from jail, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena said on Wednesday in the backdrop of statements by AAP leaders that Arvind Kejriwal will continue as chief minister even if he is behind bars.

Responding to Saxena's statement, Atishi, in an interview with PTI, cited The Representation of the People Act that disqualifies a lawmaker if he/she is convicted.

"What is the constitutional provision he is drawing on? The law of the country is very clear. You have the GNCTD Act which is very clear that you cannot be the chief minister if you do not enjoy the majority of the House. These conditions do not apply. So, under what conditions will President's Rule be imposed?" she said.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: In an interview with PTI, Atishi termed the arrest of Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case as an attack on democracy that was "never seen before" in the democratic history of the country.

"The good thing is that it has benefited us electorally," she said, adding before the arrest of Kejriwal, the result of Lok Sabha polls was a forgone conclusion as people were of the view that the BJP was going to win.

"But after Kejriwal's arrest, the level of public sympathy has gone up for us. There is just one sentiment that the BJP has gone one step too far. So, I would feel it has benefitted us electorally," Atishi told PTI.

She said the upcoming Lok Sabha polls have become a 'People vs BJP' election.

"This election has become a very different kind of election. This is no longer an 'AAP vs BJP' or 'INDIA bloc vs BJP' election. After the arrest of Kejriwal, this is a 'People vs BJP' election," she said.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has slammed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in ED custody, for skipping as many as nine summons by the central enforcement agency, in connection with the alleged scam linked to the now-withdrawn Delhi excise policy.

Speaking at the Times Now Summit 2024, Sitharaman said that when the Delhi CM skipped the ED summons that time, the excuse of "political vendetta" did not suit him.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Speaking about Delhi CM Kejriwal's arrest by ED and the incidents following it Atishi said, "It will benefit us (AAP) electorally… we are getting a lot of sympathy."

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: "After arrest of Delhi CM, Lok Sabha polls have become 'people Vs BJP' election'," AAP leader Atishi told PTI.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to be produced before a Delhi court on Thursday on the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate custodial remand.

The federal probe agency had arrested Kejriwal last Thursday in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

The next day, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja remanded him in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till March 28.

The court remanded Kejriwal in the ED custody for six days after the agency pressed for his custodial interrogation for 10 days.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: The Court while hearing and deciding a case is duty bound to hear both sides fairly keeping in mind the principles of natural justice. Thus, the reply by Directorate of Enforcement is essential and crucial to decide the present case, and therefore, the contention of the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner that no reply is required to be filed on behalf of the respondent is rejected.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that any release order from custody will amount to enlarging Kejriwal on bail or interim bail, as an interim measure.

“The writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is not a ready substitute for recourse to the remedy of bail under Section 439 of the Cr.P.C. ordinarily,” the court said.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: No interim relief for Arvind Kejriwal today as Delhi High Court issues notice on his plea challenging arrest and ED remand as well as on interim relief plea.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: On Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal's address on Wednesday, BJP leader Shazia Ilmi said, "Sunita Bhabhi if you think Kejriwal Bhai is going to make a big exposé which will unearth everything and like you are saying that a conspiracy is being hatched against AAP and Arvind Kejriwal - I have just one question, which I would like you to ask Kejriwal. Please ask him, if he has such sensational material with him to expose, why did he not do this earlier? Why did he let Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh rot in jail for so long?"

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a statement requesting the lawyers to refrain from protests against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.

"Let us uphold the integrity and dignity of our noble profession, refraining from any movement until a competent court unequivocally establishes Arvind Kejriwal's innocence or declares his arrest unjust or unlawful," the statement issued by BCI president said.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Delhi High Court will hear PIL seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Delhi CM tomorrow.

Matter will be heard by a division bench headed by ACJ Manmohan.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: "When they (AAP) say that they will run the government from jail, they are mocking the people of Delhi. L-G is right, they cannot run the government from jail," said BJP leader RP Singh

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: The Delhi CM challenged his arrest by the ED in the money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam and said that it was ‘illegal.’

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: On Wednesday, Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva criticized Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, asserting that Kejriwal, who he claims is "corrupt" and has "plundered Delhi," should resign from his position as Delhi CM.
"Our demand is that because Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt and has looted Delhi, he should resign. AAP is shielding the thieves. A person in custody is maintaining his position as a CM. How is this ethical? AAP should think this through, and Kejriwal should resign."

"They would not have needed to release letters from jail if they had served the people in the past 9 years. Arvind Kejriwal is missing his palace and the facilities in jail," he said.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Speaking on plea against protests in court premises linked to Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, the Delhi HC said, “will take action if required.”

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: The representatives from the Trinamool Congress will attend the March 31 rally organized by the INDIA bloc to protest against the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate. The INDIA bloc has declared a 'maha rally' at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan following Kejriwal's arrest in a money-laundering case linked to the excise policy on March 21. The TMC sources mentioned that the party plans to send two leaders as representatives to the rally, although they did not disclose the names of these leaders.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: On Wednesday, the government lodged a complaint with the US regarding its remarks concerning the recent arrest of AAP leader Kejriwal. A spokesperson from the US State Department, stated on Tuesday that they are monitoring the reports of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, who is the chief minister of Delhi and leader of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party. The US emphasized the importance of a fair, transparent, and prompt legal procedure.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 following his repeated mention in the chargesheets related to the excise policy case. The AAP national convenor stands accused of allegedly seeking kickbacks from liquor traders in exchange for favours, with the ED labelling him as the "kingpin and key conspirator" in the now-defunct policy.

At least 14 prominent AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have been arrested by the agency in connection with the case. The ED has sought court permission to probe AAP's involvement as a beneficiary of the "proceeds of crime."

Kejriwal has refuted the allegations, attributing them to what he perceives as the BJP-led Centre's manipulation of investigative agencies for political ends.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Wearing yellow T-shirts and donning masks resembling AAP leader Kejriwal, AAP MLAs gathered at the Delhi Assembly on Wednesday to express their opposition to the leader's arrest by the ED in a money-laundering case related to excise policy. Among them were Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, who extended their social media campaign into the Assembly by sporting yellow T-shirts with slogans like "Mai bhi Kejriwal" and "Modi ka sabse bada dar Kejriwal" printed on them.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: MLAs from both the ruling AAP and opposition BJP held protests on the Delhi assembly premises on Wednesday.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that his attempts to gain sympathy from the people of Delhi by issuing orders from the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) expressing concern about Delhi's health services will not be successful.

"You (Kejriwal) have not fulfilled your responsibilities. You should have taken proper care of your health infrastructure from time to time. Now you are giving directions from jail just to gain sympathy from people. You will not be successful," Mandaviya said, speaking to ANI on Friday.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Delhi HC will pronounce the order on CM Kejriwal's plea shortly.