Arvind Kejriwal, the current Chief Minister of Delhi and the National Convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been a prominent figure in Indian politics for over a decade. Born on August 16, 1968, Kejriwal is currently 55 years old, hailing from a baniya family in Bhiwani District, Haryana.
Caste and Family Background
Arvind Kejriwal belongs to the Agrawal community, which is a Vaishya (trading) caste. He was born to Gobind Ram Kejriwal and Gita Devi. His father was an electrical engineer who graduated from the Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, while his mother was a homemaker. Kejriwal’s personal life has been equally inspiring. He is married to Sunita Kejriwal, an Indian Revenue Service officer, and the couple has two children – a son named Pulkit and a daughter named Harshita.
Educational Qualifications and Political Career
Arvind Kejriwal’s educational and career path shows his commitment and intelligence. He finished school at Campus School in Hisar and then got a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1989. After graduation, he worked at Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, Bihar. In 1992, he left his job to prepare for the Civil Services Examination.
In 1995, Kejriwal joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) as an Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax. He resigned from this position in 2006 while he was serving as a Joint Commissioner of Income Tax in New Delhi.
Kejriwal’s political journey began in 2012 when he founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and became its national convenor, a position he still holds today. He was elected as the Chief Minister of Delhi in 2015 and has been serving in this role since then.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Net Worth and Assets
Despite his political prominence, Arvind Kejriwal has maintained a relatively modest net worth. According to the latest reports, his net worth is estimated to be around ₹3.4 crores (approximately $430,000 USD). His income primarily comes from his salary as the Chief Minister of Delhi and other government benefits.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest and the Delhi Excise Policy Case
On March 21, 2024, Kejriwal was arrested by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy money laundering case. The agency alleged that he was involved in corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped . Kejriwal challenged his arrest and the trial court’s decision, moving to the Delhi High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court. However, his pleas were dismissed by both courts, leading to further legal proceedings. The Supreme Court, while hearing Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest, emphasized the significance of life and liberty and requested the ED to provide explanations regarding the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest, which occurred just before the ongoing Lok Sabha elections . On May 10, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal bail until June 1, with several conditions, including not being allowed to visit the CM office, carry out CM duties, make comments on the money laundering case, or sign official documents.
Conclusion
Arvind Kejriwal’s journey has been a remarkable one, marked by his commitment to social change, his fight against corruption, and his efforts to improve governance in Delhi. While his political career has had its share of controversies and challenges, his impact on Indian politics and his ability to connect with the common people cannot be denied.
As the ED case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will shape the political landscape and Kejriwal’s future. Regardless of the outcome, his story serves as an inspiration for those aspiring to bring about positive change and make a difference in society.
