Big Relief for Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi HC rejects PIL to remove Kejriwal from CM post

Big Relief for Arvind Kejriwal: In a major relief for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi High Court rejected Arvind Kejriwal to remove Chief Minister from post after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him in the liquor policy- linked money laundering case. 

A division bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora stated that the petitioner did not demonstrate any legal restriction preventing an arrested Chief Minister from continuing in office. The Chief Justice verbally emphasised the need for the petitioner to present evidence of such prohibition within the law.

Also Read: Delhi Excise Policy Case: List of top leaders arrested in 'liquor scam'

“It is for the other wings of the government to examine in accordance with the law,” the bench, also comprising Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, said.

The petition was filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, a resident of Delhi who identifies as a farmer and social worker. Yadav argued that a Chief Minister facing allegations of financial misconduct should not be allowed to retain their position in public office.

Currently, Arvind Kejriwal is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is set to end today. He is scheduled to appear before the Rouse Avenue Courts in the city later today.
During the hearing, the court asked petitioner Surjit Singh Yadav’s counsel to show the legal bar on the continuation of Kejriwal as the chief minister.

“There may be practical difficulties but that is something else. Where is the legal bar?” the court asked.

The Aam Aadmi Party's National Convenor was arrested on March 21 for alleged misdoings in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise policy case under an ongoing money laundering probe by the ED. He is in ED custody till March 28.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy case 2022, which was later scrapped.

Also Read: Supreme Court to quickly consider Arvind Kejriwal's arrest appeal

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal arrested; what's next?

Before Arvind Kejriwal, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpalli, Sameer Mahindru, P Sarath Chandra, Binay Babu, Amit Arora, Gautam Malhotra, Raghav Manguta, Rajesh Joshi, Aman Dhal, Arun Pillai, Manish Sisodia, Dinesh Arora, Sanjay Singh, and K. Kavita have been arrested. Notably, a woman is among those detained.

(With inputs from agencies)

-

Join Whatsapp Channel