Arvind Kejriwal arrest: Punjab minister Harjot Bains detained in Delhi

New Delhi, March 26: Amid AAP's protest against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in the Delhi excise policy scam,  Section 144 was imposed outside the Prime Minister's residence on Tuesday. The Delhi Police detained Punjab Cabinet minister Harjot Bains, AAP leader Somnath Bharti, and other other demonstrators.

Meanwhile, the BJP also staged a protest in the national capital, calling for the resignation of Kejriwal as CM

Security around the PM's residence was tightened, with the Delhi Police warning of potential legal actions against any protests. Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal, currebtly in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise polcy scam, issued another directive from jail, as conveyed by Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday.

Notably, AAP protesters were detained outside Patel Chowk metro station on Tuesday while demonstrating against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. Prior to this, the Delhi Police had announced outside the Patel Chowk Metro station that no permission had been granted for protests. They also mentioned the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits gatherings of four or more people in an area, and urged the dispersal of the crowd within five minutes.

Security measures were tightened with police deployment outside Patel Chowk metro station, anticipating AAP's planned protest to 'gherao' the Prime Minister's residence following the arrest of Kejriwal.

Several members of AAP, including women, were seen being pushed and dragged into buses and subsequently taken to various police stations across the national capital. 

"There is no authorisation for the protest. We received information about protesters intending to gather at the Patel Chowk metro station. Consequently, we stepped up security measures," said Devesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi.

AAP leaders have also changed their profile pictures on social media platforms to one depicting Kejriwal behind bars, demonstrating solidarity with their party leader.

In a message conveyed from jail, read out by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister urged everyone to continue working for society and to refrain from harboring hatred towards anyone, including those from the ruling BJP. "There are various forces, both internal and external, that seek to weaken the country. No jail can detain me for long. I will soon be released and fulfill my commitments," added the Delhi Chief Minister in his message.

The Delhi High Court will hear Arvind Kejriwal's petition on Wednesday, challenging his arrest and a lower court's decision to grant custody to the ED for seven days. The AAP chief was arrested on Thursday, and the subsequent day, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi remanded him in the custody of the ED until March 28.