Arvind Kejriwal arrested: The opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc postponed the protest outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in the national capital today (March 29) against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the electoral bond issue.
Now, the protests will take place after March 31. The I.N.D.I.A bloc had announced on Sunday (March 24) that it will hold a joint rally at the Ramlila Maidan in protest against CM Kejriwal's arrest on March 31.
"We are organising a grand rally at the Ramlila Maidan on March 31 (Sunday) to protest against the current state of affairs in the nation. The prominent leaders of the INDIA bloc will be actively involved in this event," Gopal Rai, the AAP's Delhi convenor, had said.
Rai, accompanied by fellow Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with Delhi Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely and other senior leaders, said, "Democracy and the nation are facing imminent threats. All parties belonging to the INDIA bloc will join forces in this grand rally to safeguard the interests of the nation and uphold democracy."
Security tightened in Central Delhi
Multiple layers of barricades have been set up and a large number of police personnel deployed on roads leading to the BJP headquarters here in view of opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc's protest on Friday against the arrest of AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Besides police personnel, those of paramilitary forces have also been stationed at many places in Central Delhi, including on the DDU Marg and around the ITO area. Kejriwal, who is in the Enforcement Directorate's custody, was arrested by the agency on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday had said members of the bloc will demonstrate against Kejriwal's arrest as well as on the electoral bonds issue at the BJP headquarters on DDU Marg. The I.N.D.I.A bloc has been formed by some opposition parties, including the AAP, the TMC, the Congress, the DMK and the SP, to counter the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls.
The Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, have been imposed at the DDU Marg and its nearby areas.
"Barricades have been put up and security personnel will stop protestors from going towards the DDU Marg," a police officer said.
The AAP has been holding protests for the past week following the arrest of its convener. Police said the road leading to the BJP headquarters from ITO and Minto Road is open but if required it will be closed. The I.N.D.I.A bloc has also announced a mega rally at Ramleela Maidan on March 31.
What court said as it extended Arvind Kejriwal's ED custody till Apr 1
A court in the national capital on Thursday (March 28) extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 (Monday), saying the agency provided sufficient reasons, such as the need for him to be confronted with material collected and statements recorded, to permit his further custodial interrogation.
In its fresh remand plea before the Rouse Avenue court, the federal probe agency said Kejriwal's statements were recorded over five days but he was evasive in his response. The agency submitted before special judge Kaveri Baweja that the statements of three other persons relevant to the case have been recorded during the period.
"Having considered the submission made before this court and considering the grounds as cited by the investigative agency, there appears to be sufficient reasons to permit further custodial interrogation, particularly keeping in view the submissions that he (Kejriwal) is required to be confronted with the material collected and statements recorded so far in the course of the investigation," special judge Kaveri Baweja said.
The court noted the ED's submissions that the chief minister also needed to be confronted with the data extracted from digital devices along with some other details.
"On perusal of the statements recorded in the course of the investigation and in view of the fact that extension of custodial interrogation of the accused has been sought for further sustained and detailed interrogation, the ED custody of the accused (Kejriwal) is hereby extended till April 1," the court said.
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