NEW DELHI: A PIL was lodged in the
Delhi High Court on Friday, urging the ousting of
Arvind Kejriwal from his role as Delhi's chief minister following his arrest in an alleged money laundering case linked to the excise policy.
The petition highlighted that Kejriwal was taken into custody by the
Enforcement Directorate concerning the purported liquor policy scam. It mentioned that the High Court had previously declined to provide interim protection to Kejriwal in the case before his arrest.
Following Kejriwal's detention, Delhi minister Atishi asserted in interviews on various platforms that Kejriwal would not step down and was prepared to govern from jail if necessary. She affirmed, "Arvind Kejriwal was the Delhi CM, is the CM, and will remain the CM; he will not resign."
The petition, filed by Surjit Singh Yadav through lawyer Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh, argued that Kejriwal's continuation as the Chief Minister of Delhi post his arrest in the money laundering case tarnished the credibility and image of the Delhi Government in the public eye. It stated, "Kejriwal staying on as the CM could impede the legal process, disrupt justice, and cause a breakdown of the state's constitutional machinery."
The plea emphasized the concerns over the impact of Kejriwal's ongoing tenure amidst the legal issues he faces, raising questions about the governance of NCT of Delhi. The court's decision on this matter is awaited as the case unfolds.
(With inputs from agencies)