The Delhi High Court (HC) today dismissed a petition seeking the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Chief Minister of Delhi.
Kejriwal has been in judicial custody since March 21, 2024, following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.
The petition, filed by a Delhi-based lawyer, argued that Kejriwal’s continued occupation of the Chief Minister’s office despite being in jail was unconstitutional and untenable. However, a division bench of the Delhi HC ruled that there was no legal or constitutional provision that renders a chief minister’s office vacant merely due to incarceration.
“The court cannot assume the role of an appellate authority over the wisdom of the voters,” the bench observed, adding that Kejriwal’s party, the Aam Aadmi Party, had won a resounding mandate in the 2022 Delhi Assembly elections.
The High Court also rejected Kejriwal’s bail appeal in the same hearing. The Enforcement Directorate had opposed bail, stating that he could potentially influence witnesses and evidence if released.
Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21 had sparked widespread protests by AAP workers and supporters across Delhi. The party has maintained that the charges against Kejriwal are “politically motivated” and an attempt to overthrow the elected government in Delhi. With the court’s dismissal of the petition and bail plea, Kejriwal is likely to continue his tenure as Chief Minister from judicial custody until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against him.
