A Chief Minister's arrest in India is uncommon but possible. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal faces a similar possibility in the liquor scam case.
No Indian laws protect CMs, or Prime Ministers, from arrests. However, Article 361 of the Constitution shields the President and state governors.
If arrested while being investigated, a CM does not have to step down. They can continue working from prison, News18 reported citing experts.
An arrested CM, however, may need to delegate some responsibilities to another minister. This includes tasks like organising cabinet meetings.
India’s law says no elected official should be disqualified unless they are given a two-year jail time or more for any crime.
Jayaram Jayalalitha, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was the first sitting Indian CM to be convicted. As a result she was disqualified.