Petition Filed in Delhi HC Advocates for Arvind Kejriwal’s Governance from Judicial Custody

New Delhi: A petition has been lodged before the Delhi High Court, advocating for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s ability to continue governing from judicial custody in the liquor policy case.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition, filed by advocate Shrikant Prasad, seeks to facilitate virtual conferencing arrangements for CM Kejriwal to interact with cabinet ministers, ensuring uninterrupted governance despite his incarceration.

The PIL also aims to restrain media outlets from sensationalizing news related to CM Kejriwal’s potential resignation and the imposition of President’s Rule in the capital.

Moreover, it targets Virendra Sachdeva, BJP Delhi president, alleging that his protests and statements create undue pressure for Kejriwal’s resignation, disrupting peace and traffic flow with politically motivated intentions.

Prasad’s petition highlights Delhi’s commendable track record in governance, particularly in education and healthcare over the past seven years. It argues that the current situation in the capital violates fundamental rights under Articles 21, 14, and 19 of the Indian Constitution.

Asserting that neither the Constitution nor any law prohibits ministers, including chief ministers or prime ministers, from governing from jail, Prasad’s plea emphasizes the urgency of the matter, citing the need to ensure continuity in governance for the welfare of the people.

“As the makers of the Constitution were vigilant enough that there might be a situation when the politics of the country will enter into the worst and at that time just to keep the public fundamental rights upheld it is very much required that there is no compulsion or any obligation for resignation, otherwise gravest repercussions may arise by repeating the same modus operandi for making any minister resigned,” Prasad states.

The petition urges expedited consideration from the court, citing the exceptional governance of Delhi amidst CM Kejriwal’s incarceration, attributed to alleged political motives and false implications in the liquor policy case.

“The Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal got a sweeping majority by winning 62 out of 70 seats in the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election. Also in the preceding Delhi Assembly election on 07th Feb 2015, the Aam Aadmi Party, led by Arvind Kejriwal won 67 out of 70 seats with absolute majority. The above ratio shows that governance of Delhi by Shri Arvind Kejriwal is an unprecedented move in India,” Prasad’s petition emphasizes.