Delhi Chief Minister of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, was arrested on Thursday by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following a raid at his residence in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam.

Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court declined to provide interim relief to Kejriwal in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Despite nine summons, Kejriwal refused to comply, leading to his eventual arrest. The ED’s move, just weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Parliament) elections, has drawn attention and sparked controversy.

Amidst allegations of conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the AAP remains steadfast, asserting that Kejriwal will continue to serve as Delhi’s Chief Minister, even from jail if necessary. Political leaders across the country have denounced the arrest as a ploy to silence the Opposition’s voice.

The Supreme Court is likely to take up Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest. Meanwhile, the AAP has called for nationwide protests against the BJP, with demonstrations planned outside the party’s headquarters in Delhi.

Kejriwal’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Delhi liquor policy scandal, which has already seen multiple arrests and accusations involving other AAP leaders.