On Thursday, the Delhi High Court refused to consider a plea that sought to remove Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from office. Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the liquor policy case and is currently being held in Tihar Jail. Kejriwal’s decision to remain chief minister is a personal one, according to a division bench of the Delhi High Court.
The petitioner was asked by the High Court to contact the constitutional authorities.
“At times, personal interest has to be subordinate to national interest, but that is his (Kejriwal’s) personal call,” the High Court said.
Delhi High Court rejects PIL
The Hindu Sena National President and social worker Vishnu Gupta’s PIL was dismissed by the court. Following some disagreements, Gupta’s attorney stated that he was given the go-ahead to file a representation with the LG and to withdraw the PIL.
According to Gupta’s legal representative, there is a complete absence of governance in the nation’s capital following Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21. He said that the arrest had led to a constitutional impasse.
The bench informed the counsel that he should contact the constitutional authorities and that there was another avenue for him to seek relief.
“This is not a legal issue; it is a practical one. We will not discuss this. Shall we proclaim the government to be inoperable? The governor is quite capable. He doesn’t require our direction. The decision to answer the call is up to you. We shouldn’t assume they won’t perform their duties. We are not fit to go into this,” the bench said.
According to Gupta’s attorney, Kejriwal has no business remaining in his position as Chief Minister if he is found guilty of a constitutional breach of trust. He stated that another Aam Aadmi Party member might be nominated to the position. The bench stated that it was unable to adopt a different stance because it had already dismissed a PIL that was identical and sought Kejriwal’s removal from office as chief minister.
Meanwhile, the court has sent Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15. He was arrested by ED on March 21. Regarding the matter, ED has alleged that there were irregularities in the implementation and preparation of Delhi Liquor Policy.
What allegations has the ED made?
ED said that Arvind Kejriwal is the main conspirator of the irregularities in Delhi liquor policy. Other leaders and ministers of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also been involved in this. Former Deputy CM and AAP leader Manish Sisodia is in jail in a money laundering case related to excise policy.
