Heightened security in Central Delhi amid INDIA bloc protest against Kejriwal’s arrest

Multiple layers of barricades, large number of police personnel, and paramilitary forces have been deployed on roads leading to BJP headquarters as the opposition gears up for a protest on Friday against the arrest of AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

All the heavy deployment has been stationed at many places in Central Delhi, including on the DDU Marg and around the ITO area.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday had said members of the bloc will demonstrate against Kejriwal's arrest as well as on the electoral bonds issue at the BJP headquarters on DDU Marg.

Kejriwal, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case and has been in custody since then.

The Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which bars large gatherings, have been imposed at the DDU Marg and its nearby areas, reported PTI.

"Barricades have been put up and security personnel will stop protestors from going towards the DDU Marg," a police officer said.

INDIA bloc was formed by the opposition parties to counter the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls which include AAP, the TMC, the Congress, the DMK and the SP.

The AAP has been holding protests for the past week after the arrest of its convener. 

Kejriwal was presented in the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi on March 28 which extended his custody until April 1 as ED requested for a week-long extension.

The AAP leader has been detained in connection with the now discontinued liquor policy case. The probe agency has alleged Kejriwal to be the “kingpin” behind the Liquor scam where leaders of the AAP apparently received kickbacks totalling ₹100 crores in connection with the excise policy.

The INDIA bloc has also announced a mega rally at Ramleela Maidan on March 31.