Renowned social activist Anna Hazare expressed his disappointment over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, attributing it to Kejriwal's own actions.

Hazare, who had previously collaborated with Kejriwal during the anti-corruption movement, voiced his concerns on Friday, stating, "I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds."

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case on Thursday night. This development follows the detention of two senior AAP leaders who are currently in judicial custody.

Kejriwal, who initially gained prominence through his association with the Anna movement in 2011 against alleged corruption within the Congress government, subsequently established his own political party in 2012 and contested for the chief minister's position.

In another significant development, Kejriwal withdrew his plea from the Supreme Court against his arrest by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to the excise policy, citing a clash with his remand.

The arrest occurred after Kejriwal disregarded nine summonses issued by the ED and the Delhi High Court, which had declined to grant him relief from coercive measures by the investigative agency.

The case centres on alleged irregularities and money laundering related to the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy in 2022, a policy that was subsequently annulled.

Reacting to Kejriwal's arrest, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya criticised the Congress, an AAP ally in the INDIA bloc, for supporting Kejriwal. Maurya denounced the Congress as the "mother of corruption" and questioned the accusations made against central agencies, emphasising the need for legal recourse if there were grievances with the ED's actions.

"They keep accusing the central agencies as if they are working at the orders of the PMO or the HMO. The agencies are working neutrally. Arvind Kejriwal was issued 9 summonses but he has the pride of power. If the ED is wrong, then he should have gone to court...," said the BJP leader.

Arvind Kejriwal's arrest came days after the ED arrested daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and BRS leader, K Kavitha in connection with its investigation into money laundering charges linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.

His arrest is part of a broader investigative effort that has seen several political figures embroiled in legal proceedings, including former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh.

The timing of Kejriwal's arrest, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled from April 19 to June 1, adds further complexity to the political landscape, setting the stage for heightened political scrutiny and debate in the coming weeks.