On Sunday, traffic in Delhi was severely impacted due to protests by AAP workers against the CBI’s summoning of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy case. The protests took place in several areas including Anand Vihar Terminal, ITO Chowk, Mukarba Chowk Peera Garhi Chowk, Lado Sarai Chowk, Crown Plaza Chowk, Dwarka More Sec 6 and Sec 2 Chauraha, Pecific Wala Chowk Subhash Nagar More, Prem Wari Chauraha Ring Road, New Delhi Railway Station Ajmeri Gate Side, Bara Hanuman Mandir, Karol Bagh Chowk, IIT Crossing, ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Raj Ghat and NH 24 near Murga Mandi Gazipur. Pictures on social media showed long queues of vehicles stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
To manage the situation, police officials and traffic units were deployed at multiple locations to persuade the protesters to move from the roads and allow vehicular movement to flow. The Delhi Police also increased security outside the CBI headquarters as Kejriwal appeared for questioning in connection with the excise policy case. Over 1,000 security personnel were deployed, including paramilitary forces, and Section 144 was imposed in the area to ensure no gathering of more than four persons takes place. Security was also tightened outside the AAP office at Rouse Avenue.
The CBI has summoned Kejriwal to answer questions as a witness in the excise policy case. The AAP has called the case a conspiracy against its leaders. The CBI is investigating allegations of bribes paid by liquor traders to get licenses for the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22.
