Delhi High Court cautions AAP legal cell over planned protest against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by ED, stating participation is at their own risk. AAP lawyers intended to gather at district courts to voice dissent over Kejriwal’s arrest.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: Today(on 27th March), the Delhi High Court issued warning to the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) legal cell regarding their proposed protest against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The court emphasized that any lawyer participating in the protest would be doing so “at their own peril.”
In response to the AAP legal cell’s announcement to stage protests across all district courts in the national capital on March 27, the Delhi High Court issued warning. Advocate Sanjeev Nasiar, the state president of AAP’s legal cell, had stated that lawyers would assemble in the district courts around 12:30 PM to voice their dissent against Kejriwal’s arrest.
However, the court reiterated its stance, stating:
“We will address it tomorrow; there’s no need for concern. The court’s proceedings cannot be hindered or halted. Everyone has the fundamental right to access the court. However, if someone chooses to impede it, they do so at their own risk, and we will take necessary action if needed.”
Background of the Case
In the context of Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21 and his subsequent remand to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) until March 28 by a Delhi court. The Chief Minister petitioned for immediate release, questioning the legality of his arrest and detention. This move came after a trial court ordered his custody for “detailed and sustained interrogation.”
ALSO READ: Arvind Kejriwal Arrest| Massive Protests Called by AAP Legal Cell in Delhi Courts
The arrest was part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22. High-profile AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have also been implicated and are currently in judicial custody.
The ED has repeatedly mentioned Kejriwal’s name in its chargesheets, alleging his involvement in the policy’s formulation, which purportedly led to undue benefits for certain individuals in exchange for kickbacks to the AAP.
The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora expressed their concern over the possibility of protests within court premises, underlining such actions.
“Organizing a protest within the court carries significant consequences.”
-Justice Manmohan remarked.
In response to a midnight complaint filed against the AAP legal cell’s protest call, the court did not dismiss the potential for a hearing but reiterated the serious implications of disrupting court proceedings.
“Significant repercussions will follow. The Supreme Court’s directives will be upheld without exception. The court’s authority cannot be undermined or impeded.”
-Justice Manmohan asserted.
Moreover, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has intervened, urging the legal community to abstain from staging protests within court premises.
ALSO READ: Complaint Against AAP Legal Cell’s Protest in Delhi Court Premise Over Kejriwal’s Arrest
BCI Chairman and Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra released a statement, saying:
“I implore my esteemed colleagues in the legal fraternity of Delhi to desist from engaging in unnecessary agitation or succumbing to divisive politics. Let us uphold the integrity and dignity of our noble profession by abstaining from any movement until a competent court unequivocally establishes either the innocence of Shri Arvind Kejriwal or declares his arrest unjust or unlawful.”