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The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Chief Minister of Delhi, citing a lack of legal right to interfere with the Delhi High Court's earlier judgment on the matter.
The petition, filed by one Kant Bhati, had argued that Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case had rendered him incapable of carrying out his constitutional obligations and functions as Chief Minister.
However, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, dismissed the petition, stating that it was not inclined to interfere with the Delhi High Court's judgment. The bench also noted that Bhati was not the petitioner before the High Court and that the petitioner had pursued the petition despite being aware of three earlier orders passed by the court denying identical prayers.
The Supreme Court's decision comes as Kejriwal recently received interim release from judicial custody till June 1 in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case. The case stems from a public interest litigation filed by Sandeep Kumar before the Delhi High Court, which sought a writ of quo warranto against Kejriwal, challenging his continued tenure as Chief Minister under Article 239AA of the Constitution.
The Delhi High Court had dismissed the PIL on April 10, imposing a cost of Rs.50,000/-, finding that it was aimed at gaining publicity. The court also noted that the petitioner had pursued the petition despite being aware of three earlier orders passed by the court denying identical prayers.
Source: Supreme Court Dismisses Plea To Remove Arvind Kejriwal As Delhi Chief Minister