Prominent opposition politician and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by India’s financial crime agency, his party said.
The arrest is in connection with corruption allegations relating to the city’s policies over alcohol sales.
Mr Kejriwal and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), deny any wrongdoing and say the case is politically motivated.
His arrest comes weeks before voting begins in India’s general election.
Police surrounded Mr Kejriwal’s home on Thursday as it was searched by members of the Enforcement Directorate agency.
The case is over allegations that an alcohol sale policy implemented by the Delhi government in 2022 – which ended the government monopoly – gave undue advantages to private retailers.
Mr Kejriwal has ignored numerous summonses in the case.
The AAP has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing “dirty politics” and says it will seek an urgent hearing at the Supreme Court to secure Mr Kejriwal’s release.
India’s general election will take place in seven phases over April and May, with the results to be announced on 4 June.
Ahead of the vote, opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP government of misusing government agencies for political ends.
(BBC News)
