A public interest litigation (PIL) was lodged in the Delhi High Court on Friday, urging the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Delhi Chief Minister following his arrest in an alleged money laundering case linked to the excise policy. The plea highlights that the High Court had previously declined to grant interim protection against coercive action to Kejriwal in the said case.
According to the plea, "After Kejriwal's arrest, Delhi Minster Atishi has given interviews to various channels stating and affirming that Kejriwal will not resign from his post and, if needed, will run the government from jail." It further cited Atishi's statement stating, "Arvind Kejriwal was the Delhi CM, is the CM, and will continue to remain the CM; he will not resign."
The plea, filed by Surjit Singh Yadav through lawyer Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh, asserts that Kejriwal's continuation as the Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi post his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate has tarnished the credibility and image of the Delhi Government. The plea emphasises that such continuation could obstruct due legal process, disrupt justice, and lead to a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state.
Details of ED Case Against Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal, once revered as an anti-corruption crusader, appeared before a court where the Enforcement Directorate accused him of being a key conspirator in the liquor scam case and sought his 10-day custody. According to the ED, Kejriwal received kickbacks from the 'South group' for formulating and executing the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, news agency PTI reported.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the agency, stated that Kejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore from some accused for contesting elections and that the money trail indicated Rs 45 crore kickback utilised in Goa assembly elections came from four hawala routes, PTI's report mentioned.
Protests erupted in the national capital over Kejriwal's arrest, with AAP workers and supporters rallying near the AAP offices. Many, including key ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, were detained. The ED also accused the party's communication incharge Vijay Nair of acting as Kejriwal's link to the south cartel, alleging kickbacks of Rs 100 crore were given to AAP candidates in cash.