In a stunning turn of events, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an excise case, as reported by Hindustan Times. The arrest took place on Thursday night, sending shockwaves across the political landscape.

While the ED has not officially confirmed the arrest, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Atishi and Sourav Bharadwajra confirmed the news, stating that Kejriwal had indeed been taken into custody. However, they also mentioned that an appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the arrest, with a request for an urgent hearing.

Reports indicate that the possibility of Kejriwal's arrest loomed large since evening, with ED officials arriving at his residence after the rejection of his petition by the Delhi High Court. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed outside his residence, and a search was conducted, accompanied by interrogation by ED sources.

The development prompted Aam Aadmi Party workers and supporters to gather outside Kejriwal's residence, where Delhi government ministers and top party leaders were also present to show solidarity.

This arrest comes in the wake of the ED issuing summons to Kejriwal last October, followed by a directive to appear on November 2. The arrest of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in similar cases has fueled speculation regarding Kejriwal's apprehension.

Kejriwal and his supporters have consistently alleged that the ED, under the influence of the BJP government, is targeting them to suppress the Aam Aadmi Party. Opposition parties have echoed these sentiments, accusing the BJP of misusing agencies like the ED for political vendettas.

With Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, the timing of Kejriwal's arrest has raised eyebrows, with many viewing it as an attempt to derail the Aam Aadmi Party's electoral prospects. Kejriwal himself has voiced concerns about the BJP's intentions to arrest him before the polls, citing repeated summons from the ED in excise cases.

As the legal battle unfolds, the political ramifications of Kejriwal's arrest are likely to reverberate across the nation, shaping the discourse in the lead-up to the elections. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for April 22, adding further intrigue to the unfolding saga.