HC dismisses PIL to allow Delhi CM to hold video-conferencing with cabinet ministers, MLAs

New Delhi [India], May 8 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the Director General (Prisons), to provide arrangements for efficient governance of Delhi by allowing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to interact with assembly members and cabinet ministers via video conferencing.
The plea also sought direction from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to restrain media from airing alleged misleading, sensational headings related to imposing presidential rule in Delhi.
Delhi HC's Bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan while dismissing the plea also imposed costs of Rupees of one lakh on the petitioner and said "Do you think courts impose censorship under article 226? Are you asking for a gag order against the press? What do we do? Do we impose an emergency? Censorship? Martial law? How do we gag the press and political rivals?
A petition moved by one Shrikant Prasad, a practising lawyer through plea stated that neither the Constitution of India nor any law has prohibited any ministers including the chief minister/prime minister from governing the government from the prison complex under judicial custody.
Recently, the Delhi High Court dismissed three public interest litigation seeking direction to remove Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of Chief Minister.
While dismissing the third petition which was filed by the former Cabinet Minister of Delhi, the court also imposed a Rs 50,000 fine on the petitioner and asked to stop making a mockery of the system. Costs are the only way to curb such petitions.
The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora showed displeasure with the petitioner and stated, "Governor will take a call on this. We won't. Don't give political speeches in court. You're trying to involve us in the political thicket."
Ex-minister in the Aam Aadmi Party Government and former MLA recently moved a petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from holding the post of Chief Minister.
The petition claims a writ of quo-warranto against Arvind Kejriwal alleging that he has incurred the incapacity to hold the office of the Chief Minister of Delhi after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in Excise Policy.
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the excise policy case.
The trial court on April 15, extended the Judicial custody of Arvind Kejriwal till April 23 2024. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam.