Jitender Singh Tomar taken to Faizabad for questioning: Highlights of what happened so far

New Delhi, June 9: Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar was arrested in New Delhi on Tuesday over his alleged fake law degree. The AAP cried foul and linked it with its anti-corruption campaign.

Delhi Police, which does not report to the AAP government but to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the Union Home Ministry, said that Tomar was arrested on charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy and forgery.

Delhi assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said he wasn't informed about the arrest.

AAP press conference

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia accused Lt. Governor Jung of unleashing an "Emergency-like situation" and said vested interests were ganging up against the AAP government because of its anti-corruption campaign. The AAP, he vowed, won't be cowed down by such actions.

• Sisodia said although the issue of Tomar's alleged fake degree was in the court, about 40 policemen swooped on Tomar's office early in the morning and took him away as if he was a 'fugitive'.
• "The police told Tomar they had come to see some documents... They asked him to accompany them to his house. On the way they told his driver to get off and took charge of his vehicle and told him he was being detained.
• "They told Tomar that he could ask someone to bring the documents to the police station...
• "What is going on?" asked Sisodia. "Was he (Tomar) running away? Did he explode bombs in Delhi? There is an allegation (against him). The matter is in the court. What was the need to arrest him?"

• "There is something wrong... This arrest is illegal. There is an Emergency-like situation. This is supposed to be a democracy... Maybe it is an attempt to teach the AAP a lesson (for what we are doing), " he further added.

AAP-Centre row escalates

• Tuesday's arrest peaked a simmering row between the central and AAP governments over the powers of the Delhi government over the posting and transfer of senior officials. This dispute too is now facing judicial scrutiny.
• AAP leader Sanjay Singh said police arrested Tomar without giving any notice.
• "If the case relates to a fake degree, will ministers Smriti Irani and Ram Shanker Katheria (of BJP) will also be taken to police station without any prior notice?" Singh asked.

BJP on Tomar's arrest

• "It's a black day in the political history of Delhi," BJP leader Satish Upadhyay said on JS Tomar's arrest.

Congress on Tomar's arrest

The Congress took potshot at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, demanding his resignation as the Tomar episode had punctured his claims of ushering in clean politics. It also sought Tomar's resignation from the assembly.

• Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken, speaking to reporters here, said that Kejriwal and others have been raising issues of high standards in public life. "What happened to them now?"
• "Arvind Kejriwal should own up moral responsibility (for his law minister) and should resign. He should also ensure that the law minister also resigns," he said.

Rajnath Singh on Jitender Tomar's arrest

• Ministry of Home Affairs has nothing to do with Tomar's arrest, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
• "MHA kisi ko giraftaar karne ke baare mein, koi kaaryawaahi karne ke baare mein nirdesh nhi deta," said Singh on Jitender Tomar's arrest.

Jitender Singh Tomar moved Delhi High Court against his arrest.

Tomar's arrest legal, says BS Bassi

• Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi on Tuesday said the arrest of Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar was legal.
• "He has been arrested within the parameters of law. Soon he will be produced before a court," Bassi said.

Delhi Police press conference

• No conspiracy behind arrest of Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar.
• Arrest was made in accordance with the law after discrepancies were found.
• Police sought 5-day custody of Tomar saying that he is required to be interrogated on many more aspects.

(With inputs from agencies)