Delhi HC Slaps Rs 1 Lakh Cost For PIL To Allow CM Arvind Kejriwal To Run Govt From Jail

Delhi HC junked the PIL observing that Arvind Kejriwal has already filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by ED and the matter is being heard for interim bail

The high court held that the plea was not maintainable and asked the petitioner to keep a bank draft of Rs 1 lakh ready. ( Image Source :PTI )

Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a PIL seeking to allow Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to run the government from jail. The court also imposed a cost of Rs. 1 lakh on petitioner and lawyer Shrikant Prasad for filing such a plea.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan junked the PIL observing that Arvind Kejriwal has already filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by Enforcement Directorate and the matter is being heard for interim bail in the top court.

The PIL also sought to restrain media houses from creating pressure by airing "sensational headlines" about Arvind Kejriwal's resignation and imposition of President Rule in the national capital. The petitioner also sought to stop BJP Delhi president Virendra Sachdeva from creating undue pressure by protest or statement by illegal means for Kejriwal's resignation.

The PIL further sought action against Sachdeva for organising a protest at DDU marg on April 10.

While hearing the PIL, the bench asked the petitioner: “Do we impose Martial law? Say no one will speak against Mr. A or B? What do we do? There will be a gag order against everyone..."

The high court held that the plea was not maintainable and asked the petitioner to keep a bank draft of Rs 1 lakh ready.

The Delhi High Court has faced a slew of petitions since the arrest of Kejriwal, either seeking his removal or bail on various grounds. 

The court has on past several occasions warned individual petitioners to refrain from using court for politics and ruled that a decision to remove a Chief Minister or impose President's rule cannot be taken by the Delhi High Court as it is an executive decision and not a judicial one.

Earlier, the court had imposed a cost of Rs 75,000 on a lawyer who moved a plea seeking "extraordinary interim bail" for Kerjriwal.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case.