NEW DELHI: Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal from his official residence in the Delhi excise policy case.

Kejriwal has become the first sitting chief minister to be arrested in the history of Independent India and the second chief minister to be ever arrested by the probe agency. 

The enforcement agency’s action comes after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection from arrest to Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case.

Kejriwal repeatedly refused to appear before the ED, even after 9 summons by the investigation agency.

AAP workers and leaders rallied behind Mr Kejriwal following his arrest, while leaders of the INDIA bloc also extended their support to the AAP leader. The INDIA bloc parties came out in support of Kejriwal and criticised the BJP for using ED as a weapon against the Opposition.

Delhi Cabinet Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, who were leading a mega protest march in Delhi, and other protesters were detained by the police.

The now scrapped excise policy was introduced to bring an overhaul to the liquor business in Delhi and promised a more modern shopping experience. But Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's order to investigate alleged irregularities in the new policy prompted its cancellation.