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The Delhi High Court is set to address a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from his position as Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi. The bench, comprising Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, is scheduled to hear the case on Thursday.

 

The PIL comes in the wake of Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged liquor policy scam.

 

The plea highlights that prior to Kejriwal's arrest, the Delhi High Court had declined to grant interim protection from coercive action in the same case. It points out that following Kejriwal's arrest, Atishi, a minister in the Delhi government, affirmed that Kejriwal would not resign from his post and would continue to govern, even if required, from jail. This stance has sparked controversy and prompted the PIL seeking his removal from office.

 

Filed by Surjit Singh Yadav through lawyer Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh, the plea argues that Kejriwal's continuation as Chief Minister post-arrest has damaged the credibility and image of the Delhi government in the eyes of the public.

 

It contends that his presence in office could obstruct due legal process, disrupt justice, and potentially undermine the constitutional machinery of the state.

 

Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 stems from his alleged involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy case, which is linked to money laundering accusations. He was remanded to the ED's custody until March 28.

 

The case revolves around purported irregularities and money laundering associated with the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy in 2022, which was subsequently annulled.

 

The upcoming hearing in the Delhi High Court underscores the escalating legal and political challenges faced by Kejriwal and his administration. It also reflects broader concerns about governance integrity and accountability within the NCT of Delhi.

 

As the court deliberates on the PIL, the future trajectory of Kejriwal's leadership and its implications for Delhi's governance landscape remain subjects of intense scrutiny and debate.