A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) submitted to the Delhi High Court, requesting proper facilities for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his confinement in Tihar Jail. The PIL emphasizes Kejriwal’s stature as an elected leader and asserts that he deserves essential amenities and safety measures while in custody.
NEW DELHI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was recently filed in the Delhi High Court, requesting adequate facility to enable Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to continue governing Delhi from Tihar Jail. The PIL comes after Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi Excise policy case.
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The petitioner, Shrikant Prasad, urged the court to facilitate video conferencing between Kejriwal, Delhi Assembly members, and Cabinet Ministers to ensure the smooth functioning of the Delhi government while he remains in custody.
Background:
Following his arrest on March 21, Kejriwal has been in judicial custody, with the court subsequently remanding him on April 1. Prasad’s PIL emphasizes the positive impact of the Delhi government’s schemes on the citizens, garnering recognition from global media and reputable institutions.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja issued the order extending Kejriwal’s detention under the supervision of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This decision comes after Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21, a significant event in Indian politics as he became the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested while in office. The arrest was based on allegations that Kejriwal was the “key conspirator” in the alleged financial irregularities associated with the scrapped excise policy framework.
Before Kejriwal’s arrest, his plea for interim protection from arrest was dismissed by the Delhi High Court, resulting in his immediate detention by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Initially held in ED custody for a week, the agency sought an extension, citing Kejriwal’s non-cooperative behavior during the investigation. Despite the ED’s request for a seven-day extension, the court granted only four additional days.
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The petitioner expresses concerns about sensationalized media headlines that interfere with the democratic process and urges the court to restrain channels from exerting undue pressure regarding Kejriwal’s resignation and the imposition of President’s Rule in Delhi. Furthermore, the plea seeks preventive measures against Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, restricting him from employing illegal means to demand the Chief Minister’s resignation.
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Previously, three prior petitions were submitted to the Delhi High Court, seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the position of Delhi Chief Minister. The court rejected Surjit Singh Yadav’s plea, while Vishnu Gupta’s similar request was not entertained. Former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sandeep Kumar’s petition incurred a fine of Rs 50,000 from the High Court.
