As many as 21 workers and leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who were detained during their protest against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, have been released, officials said.

The workers were released from Bawana Police Station hours after their detention.

The AAP workers were detained from the ITO area, the officials added.

Raising slogans "Arvind tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare sath hain" and "tyranny won't last", hundreds of AAP leaders and workers on Friday hit the streets to protest against the BJP over Kejriwal's arrest, with AAP ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and others being detained.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case on Thursday evening.

Congress leader and Maharashtra former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan took a hit at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said that the arrest was made with the sole purpose of stopping Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning days before the Lok Sabha elections.

Prithviraj Chavan said, "They (BJP) have been sleeping for 10 years. Is it necessary to arrest? Arrest is a rare case. Papers can be taken which they (ED) have already done. The arrest has been made with the only purpose to stop Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning. We are not on the merit of the case, let the investigative agency decide that. Our objection is to the arrest of the senior leader of the INDIA bloc."

A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, a delegation of leaders of the INDIA bloc parties approached the Election Commission of India alleging "unrelenting, blatant and illegal deployment of Central Agencies" by the ruling BJP to stifle the opposition parties.

In a memorandum submitted to the Election Commission, the INDIA party leaders submitted a list of recent instances of central agencies targeting opposition parties and alleged an absence of a level playing field for the opposition.

The leaders also suggested that the poll panel should change the heads of the probe agencies during the election to ensure a fair play.

Kerala BJP president K Surendran on Friday said that the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate came after Arvind Kejriwal was regularly skipping their summons adding that before the law, everybody is equal.

"This case is under the scrutiny of the Delhi High Court. There is nothing wrong. The investigations are going on properly. More than 10 times, he was summoned. The Congress party in Kerala and in many other states is saying that it is a conspiracy against the opposition leaders. But this is their hypocrisy. Before the law, all are equal," K Surendran told reporters.

Arvind Kejriwal's arrest came days after the ED arrested K Kavitha, Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with its investigation into money laundering charges linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.

Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Friday said a party delegation will approach the Election Commission (EC) and seek an ED probe into the state's excise policy, which he claimed was tailored along the lines of the one for Delhi.

His comments came in the wake of Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case on Thursday.

"The (Delhi) excise policy for which Kejriwal had to see this day, the same model has been replicated by their (AAP) government in Punjab," Mr Jakhar told reporters here.

He said a delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will meet EC officials on Saturday to demand a ED probe into the excise policy for Punjab.

The same excise policy for which multiple Delhi ministers have been jailed has been implemented in Punjab by Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Mr Jakhar alleged.

A Delhi court has reserved its order on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging his late night arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in the excise policy case is the "consequence of trying to run away from the investigation."

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Mr Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Thursday night, in which two senior AAP leaders are already in judicial custody.

"The consequence of trying to run away from the investigation is an arrest that is the natural consequence of trying to hide and run from the investigation," Mr Chandrasekhar said.

The Union Minister also termed the opposition's reaction to the Delhi Chief Minister's arrest as "absolutely mystifying".

The Goa Congress, an ally of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Friday strongly condemned the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged excise policy scam.

Goa Leader of Opposition and Congress legislator Yuri Alemao said Kejriwal's arrest is a poor reflection on democracy and the country's constitutional institutions, and hit out at the BJP.

He wrote on his X handle "Strongly condemn arrest of Delhi Chief Minister @ArvindKejriwal. It's a poor reflection on state of our democracy and constitutional institutions. @BJP4India bulldozing opposition through all foul means." Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar took to X to condemn the AAP convener's arrest on Thursday night, and asserted the anti-BJP INDIA bloc will not get destabilised by the ED action.

Arvind Kejriwal "took advantage" of being Delhi Chief Minister to facilitate money laundering by AAP, a "major beneficiary" of proceeds of crimes, says Enforcement Directorate

The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on Friday staged a protest here against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the ED and demanded his release. 

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, and some sitting and former party MLAs and scores of workers participated.

Arvind Kejriwal's wife reacted to her husband's arrested and accused PM Modi of of "trying to crush everyone". "Modi ji got your thrice-elected Chief Minister arrested out of arrogance of power. He is trying to crush everyone. This is a betrayal of the people of Delhi. Your Chief Minister has always stood with you. Whether inside or outside, his life is dedicated to the country. The public knows everything. Jai Hind," she wrote.

The BJP's Goa unit on Friday said Arvind Kejriwal should step down as Delhi Chief Minister after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, reported news agency PTI.

"Arvind Kejriwal was arrested for his involvement in the excise scam. The allegations are serious. He must immediately step down as Delhi Chief Minister," Goa BJP spokesperson Yatish Naik said. "An inquiry should be conducted against all AAP candidates and their sources of funds for the 2022 Goa polls," BJP MLA Sankalp Amonkar said.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court reserved its decision this afternoon on the ED's request for Arvind Kejriwal's 10-day custody.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of behaving like a "tin-pot dictator" and said that the Centre is arresting Opposition leaders in its desperation to secure a win in the upcoming elections. This comes a day after Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED.

"The PM is behaving like a tin-pot dictator, arresting opponents, election agents, transferring state government officials... Changing rules in desperation to win seats... Why?" said Mr O'Brien, who is in Delhi for a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders with the Chief Election Commissioner.

INDIA bloc parties are rallying behind Mr Kejriwal, with the TMC making its first appearance with the Opposition alliance partners since seat-sharing talks with Congress failed in Bengal.

Arvind Kejriwal can continue as Delhi Chief Minister after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. Legal experts said under the law there is no bar on an arrested person from holding the post, reported news agency PTI.

AAP MLAs and councillors are at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence to meet his family, the party said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal - arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last night in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam - was produced before the city's Rouse Avenue court Friday afternoon.

Read here

A Public Interest Litigation, or PIL, was filed in the Delhi High Court today seeking Arvind Kejriwal's removal from the post of the Chief Minister after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. According to court sources, the petition has some defects and will be listed for hearing once these are rectified, reported news agency PTI.

Arvind Kejriwal spoke to reporters while he was being produced in court. "My life is dedicated to the country, no matter where I am - in jail or outside," he said - his first reaction after arrest.

The AAP has  claimed that Arvind Kejriwal's arrest will prove to be the biggest political mistake of the BJP.

As Delhi cabinet ministers Atishi, Bharadwaj and others tried to proceed towards the BJP headquarters around 11 am, they were taken away in police buses.

Police officers were seen asking protesters to disperse as prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were in force in the area.

"45 crore rupees have been used in Goa elections. This policy was implemented by Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. Vijay Nair is Kejriwal's right-hand man..he used to collect kickbacks for Kejriwal, enforce policies and threaten those who disobeyed. The proceeds of crime include not only bribes of Rs 100 crores, but also the profits earned by the bribe payers. It was over Rs 600 crore," Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court.

"Arvind Kejriwal asked Sarath Reddy to trust Vijay Nair. The money was transferred twice, first 10 crores and then 15 crores through Bachi Babu. Mr Kejriwal wanted funding for Punjab and Goa elections,"Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court.

"Accused Vinay Nair lived close to Arvind Kejriwal's house and was the media incharge for AAP. He was the middle man for Kejriwal and K Kavitha," Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court.

"Manish Sisodia also played a key role in the case. The kickbacks from the policy were used for the Goa election campaigns.  Manish Sisodia called Vijay Nair to Kejriwal's house and gave him documents related to liquor policy. ASG Raju said that Vijay Nair was working for Kejriwal and Kavita, playing the role of middle man in South Group," Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court.

"Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is the main conspirator. He conspired with other leaders and was directly involved in the implementation of the liquor policy," Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju submits Mr Kejriwal's medical reports, says medical exam conducted twice. "We've complied with provisions of Section 19 of PMLA, his relatives have also been informed," he said.

The Enforcement Directorate has sought a custody of 10 days for Arvind Kejriwal. Judge Kaveri Baveja is hearing the case. The probe agency has submitted Mr Kejriwal's medical report after the examination was conducted earlier today.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal - arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last night in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam - was produced before the city's Rouse Avenue court Friday afternoon.

"I told him many times to avoid liquor, but he made the policy for more money." This is one of many scathing remarks by social activist Anna Hazare on the arrest of his former mentee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the liquor policy case.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has left the ED office in Delhi and will be produced at the Rouse Avenue Court shortly. The probe agency will likely demand a 10 day custody of the leader.

The Delhi Chief Minister will be taken to Rouse Avenue Court at 2.30 pm. Security has been stepped up around the court and protesters have been removed.

Top sources in the Enforcement Directorate have said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be produced in Rouse Avenue Court not through video conferencing. The leader will be taken to court by top officials of the Delhi Police once the protests by AAP workers are cleared.

A massive traffic jam was witnessed near ITO Chowk, Raj Ghat and Vikas Marg this morning as the roads leading to BJP headquarters and ED office were shut due to AAP's protest over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, officials said.

From leading the 'India Against Corruption' movement to becoming the chief minister of Delhi thrice in a row, Arvind Kejriwal, arrested by the ED on Thursday, has had a chequered career as a bureaucrat-turned-activist-turned-politician.

Arvind Kejriwal withdraws petition against arrest from Supreme Court, will go to a lower court

Anna Hazare said he wrote letters to Arvind Kejriwal condemning the Delhi liquor policy. "Arvind Kejriwal protested against alcohol consumption with me. I was hurt to see him form a new liquor policy for Delhi. That's how politics works. The law will take its course," he said.

"This liquor scam, this scam, that scam is only on paper so far, this scam has not gone to anyone's account. This is happening in India and wherever the states go against dictatorship, this is how it happens. Arvind Kejriwal ji has fought a great battle," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.

The Aam Aadmi Party has made it clear that Arvind Kejriwal will remain the Delhi Chief Minister despite his arrest in the liquor policy case.

The Delhi Police has started detaining AAP workers protesting at ITO.