Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, has issued his first order since his arrest. This comes as the AAP insists the chief minister will not resign and will run the state from prison.
He issued the order through a note for the Water Department. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in connection with the money laundering case linked to alleged liquor scam in Delhi. He was sent to six days of Enforcement Directorate custody.
Addressing a press conference, Minister Atishi said that Kejriwal is concerned about the people of Delhi and has given appropriate orders related to shortage of water during the summer season.
“Kejriwal, as Water Minister, has sent instructions from ED custody. The people of Delhi should not face shortage of water. He gave appropriate orders to the Chief Secretary and officials so that the people of Delhi should not face any problem. There should be no shortage of water as summer has arrived in Delhi. As Chief Minister, he used to review the work of ministers. Now he is in the custody of the Central Government,” she added.
Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal on Saturday evening met him at the ED office where he is lodged under custody. Sunita Kejriwal met her husband at the ED office at A P J Abdul Kalam Road and was seen holding papers as she entered the ED office with some staff.
Sunita Kejriwal later read out a “message by the Delhi Chief Minister” via a video message on Saturday (March 23), and said that he is a man “made of steel” and he will not break down. She said that blessings of the people of Delhi are with Kejriwal and he has fulfilled his promises made to them.
“There are several forces within and outside India that are weakening the country. We have to be alert, identify these forces and defeat them…Women in Delhi must be thinking that Kejriwal is behind bars. Who knows if they would get Rs 1000. I appeal to them to trust their brother, their son. There is no jail that can keep him behind bars for long. I will come out soon and keep my promise…” she said.
According to Kejriwal’s lawyer, the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court had allowed Sunita Kejriwal and Bibhav Kumar (Kejriwal’s assistant) to meet him every day for half an hour between 6-7 pm, apart from his lawyers.
Meanwhile, the AAP is planning a candlelight march and effigy burning across Delhi on Sunday in protest against the BJP in connection with Kejriwal’s arrest.
