A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking permission for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to conduct video conferencing with his cabinet ministers and MLAs from judicial custody.
The petition, initiated by Shrikant Prasad, argues for the necessity of effective governance despite the chief minister’s confinement. It emphasizes that no legal provisions explicitly prohibit a government official from performing duties while detained.
The plea also requests the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to prevent media from broadcasting misleading headlines about the potential imposition of President's rule in Delhi.
Additionally, the plea reflects on recent legal developments involving Kejriwal. The Delhi High Court recently dismissed three separate public interest litigations demanding Kejriwal’s removal from office, with the latest dismissal leading to a fine against the petitioner for frivolous litigation.
The court expressed its disapproval of the political nature of the petitions and emphasized that such decisions should be left to the Governor rather than being adjudicated in the courtroom.
Furthermore, the context of Kejriwal’s arrest is tied to allegations by the Enforcement Directorate concerning a liquor scam, with accusations that the Aam Aadmi Party significantly benefited from illicit proceeds.
His judicial custody was recently extended until April 23, 2024, amidst ongoing investigations.
This legal turbulence comes at a crucial time for governance in Delhi, prompting the petition to facilitate administrative functions via digital means to ensure continuity in leadership and decision-making while the legal proceedings take their course.
The move to enable virtual governance highlights the blending of technology with political processes, especially under extraordinary circumstances.
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