Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested on Thursday by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the liquor probe. Kejriwal becomes the second sitting chief minister to be arrested in recent times after Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren was arrested. While Hemant Soren made way for Champai Soren to take the mantle of the government, the AAP leadership on Thursday said Kejriwal will remain the chief minister and the national capital will be ruled from jail. Kejriwal’s arrest comes a week after another big-ticket arrest in connection with the liquor probe. BRS leader K Kavitha was arrested from Hyderabad last week and was brought to New Delhi.

Why was Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrested by ED? What’s liquor policy case?

While Kavitha’s arrest dropped hints that Kejriwal would be ED’s next target, a high court order on Thursday made it easier as the court denied to grant any protection to Kejriwal from any coercive action of the agency. Hours after the high court verdict, ED officials swooped in at Kejriwal’s Civil Lines residence with a search warrant. After a few hours, Kejriwal was taken into custody.

Arvind Kejriwal arrested: Follow LIVE updates

Why Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested

Kejriwal was summoned by the ED to join the probe sine last year but citing various engagements Kejriwal skipped all the summons so far. Kejriwal moved the court and challenged the ED summons calling them unconstitutional. A major blow came to Kejriwal after the court on Thursday said it has no intention to get into the case at this stage.

The case pertains to the liquor policy which was scrapped after allegations of corruption. Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh were arrested earlier in connection with the same case.

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What’s next for Kejriwal?

Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi said the party has already moved the Supreme Court for quashing the arrest of Kejriwal. “We have asked for an urgent hearing by the Supreme Cpurt tonight itself,” Atishi posted on X.

Meanwhile, the AAP leadership said Kejriwal will remain the chief minister as it was decided after a survey of ‘Main Bhi Kejriwal’ at 23.8 lakh households in Delhi.