Delhi HC dismisses third plea for Kejriwal’s removal from CM post, imposes fine instead

The Delhi High Court’s dismissal of a plea filed by former Delhi Minister Sandeep Kumar seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from his position as Chief Minister underscores a recurring issue. This marks the third petition with identical requests, prompting the court to levy a Rs 50,000 fine on the petitioner and admonishing them for what it perceives as an abuse of the legal system.

Justices Manmohan and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora expressed their displeasure with the petitioner’s actions, cautioning against using the court for political purposes. Instead, they indicated that the matter would be left to the Governor’s discretion. Sandeep Kumar’s petition alleges that Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate renders him unfit to fulfill his constitutional duties as Chief Minister of Delhi. The court, in a separate ruling, affirmed the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest, citing his prolonged non-compliance with summons over six months.

Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21, 2024, in connection with an excise policy case led to his remand to judicial custody on April 15, 2024. This legal saga highlights the complex interplay between political accountability, legal proceedings, and the functioning of governance structures in Delhi.