In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea for the third time seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from his position as Chief Minister. This decision comes after Kejriwal’s arrest last month over corruption allegations related to the alleged Delhi Liquor Policy Scam.
The court, led by acting Chief Justice Manmohan, made a significant observation by stating, “let democracy take its own course.” This statement reflects the court’s stance on not interfering with the democratic process and governance structures.
The plea, filed by the Hindu Sena, sought direction from the Lieutenant Governor to compel Kejriwal to resign from his post. However, the court refused to counsel the Lieutenant Governor on this matter, emphasizing that it falls within the purview of the executive branch and not judicial interference.
This decision follows previous dismissals of similar pleas in January and last week. The court reiterated that the removal of a sitting Chief Minister is a matter for other branches of the government to examine in accordance with the law.
Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam has sparked controversy, with his supporters condemning the timing of the arrest, which occurred weeks before elections. The opposition has criticized the arrest of senior political leaders, including Kejriwal, amid ongoing prosecutions.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, questioned the urgency of the arrests and argued that they were aimed at destabilizing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before elections rather than upholding legal procedures.
The Delhi High Court’s decision to uphold the democratic process and refrain from intervening in executive matters underscores the separation of powers and the independence of governance mechanisms in India.
Arvind Kejriwal remains in judicial custody until April 15, with ongoing investigations into the alleged liquor policy scam by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which claims a ₹600 crore fraud involving the AAP’s election campaigns in Goa and Punjab.
Both Kejriwal and the AAP have denied these charges, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using central agencies to target political opponents. The BJP has refuted these allegations, emphasizing the impartiality of law enforcement agencies in their investigations.
Sources By Agencies
