Arvind Kejriwal Becomes First Sitting Chief Minister Arrested

In a significant turn of events, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. This development marks Kejriwal as the first sitting chief minister in India to be arrested by a law enforcement agency, adding to the political turmoil ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The ED’s action came hours after Kejriwal was grilled in the excise policy case, raising eyebrows and sparking condemnation from opposition parties, including those from the INDIA alliance, of which Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is a member. The timing of the arrest, just days before the elections, has led to heated debates and accusations of political motives behind the move.

Kejriwal’s arrest brings attention to previous instances where chief ministers faced legal challenges:

1. Hemant Soren (Jharkhand): Arrested by the ED in a money laundering probe related to an alleged land scam in his state.
2. J Jayalalithaa (Tamil Nadu): Convicted in a disproportionate assets case, leading to her resignation and the appointment of O Paneerselvam as chief minister.
3. Lalu Prasad (Bihar): Named in the CBI chargesheet in the fodder scam, leading to his resignation and the appointment of Rabri Devi as CM.
4. Madhu Koda (Jharkhand): Arrested by the ED for financial discrepancies during his tenure as CM.
5. Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh): Arrested in a skill development case related to an alleged multi-crore scam.
6. Om Prakash Chautala (Haryana): Convicted for amassing disproportionate assets during his tenure as CM, although the Delhi High Court suspended his sentence.

These instances underscore the complex legal landscape that politicians navigate and the scrutiny they face in their roles as public officials. The arrest of a sitting chief minister like Kejriwal raises questions about the intersection of politics, law enforcement, and governance in India’s political landscape.

Sources By Agencies

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