National Desk, 26th March: Following the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leaders and party members found themselves detained outside the Patel Chowk metro station amidst protests on Tuesday.
In response to AAP’s call for a ‘gherao’ to demonstrate against Kejriwal’s arrest, the Delhi Police heightened security measures around PM Narendra Modi’s residence, invoking Section 144 of the CrPC.
Throughout the capital, an increased police presence was noted, potentially causing traffic disruptions in New Delhi and Central Delhi due to the ongoing protests. Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, linked to a money-laundering case associated with a defunct excise policy, served as the catalyst for these demonstrations.
Since the arrest, AAP has initiated a campaign against the Central government and the investigating agencies, namely the CBI and ED.
According to the ED, Kejriwal allegedly accepted kickbacks from liquor traders in exchange for favours and played a pivotal role as a ‘key conspirator’ in the annulled policy, alongside AAP leaders, ministers, and others. AAP, however, staunchly maintains Kejriwal’s innocence, asserting that he is being unjustly targeted in the run-up to the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.