• Source:JND
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The Delhi High Court on Monday chided the petitioner who sought Arvind Kejriwal’s removal from the post of Chief Minister, besides yet again turning down the request in this regard. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked with the Delhi liquor policy case. The court, while hearing a plea filed by the former AAP MLA Sandeep Kumar, noted there was no requirement to file a fresh petition when two such requests had earlier been turned down by a bench of the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. The court also said a heavy penalty should be unleashed on the petitioner.

A bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad transferred the matter to a bench after taking note of the fact that two pleas seeking similar relief were heard and rejected by that bench. The court will hear the matter next on April 10.

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"This is just for publicity. Since similar matters have been listed and disposed of by the Acting Chief Justice, list this petition before the bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice," Justice Prasad said.  

“I would have imposed heavy costs,” he added after transferring the petition.

Sandeep Kumar’s Argument:

Former AAP MLA Sandeep Kumar said Kejriwal can’t work independently as Chief Minister from the ED custody. He said Delhi, being a Union Territory, needs LG’s help and advice and Kejriwal has to be independent to do this. He thus asked the Delhi High Court to remove him from the CM post.  

Kejriwal Arrest:

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money laundering case linked with the Delhi Excise policy. This came hours after the Delhi High Court turned down his interim protection plea. Kejriwal was sent to ED custody until March 28, which was extended until April 1.

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He was sent to judicial custody for 15 days by the court after ED said they didn’t want to further question him, adding that he was "uncooperative" and gave evasive answers.