Delhi HC rejects plea challenging Arvind Kejriwal's arrest

New Delhi: A plea challenging the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was rejected by the Delhi High Court, saying that it was not maintainable. The Aam Aadmi Party national convenor was arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, PTI reported.

The high court observed that Kejriwal has the means and wherewithal to approach the court and file appropriate proceedings. It said that the direction sought in the petition to the Centre to provide information on the arrest of a political party leader or a candidate to the Election Commission of India (ECI) when the model code of conduct (MCC) is in force belies the petitioner's legal understanding with respect to the rule of law.

"This court is of the view that the present writ petition, which effectively challenges the arrest of the national convenor of AAP, is not maintainable as the said person is in judicial custody in pursuance to judicial orders, which are not a subject matter of the present petition. The petition conspicuously fails to name the person, though the identity is apparent due to the references made to his political standing/position," a bench of acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora said.

While the order was passed on May 1, the detailed verdict was made available on Friday.

The high court said there was no merit in the petition, and it was "frivolous" and appeared to have been filed with the "intent of garnering publicity".

The bench dismissed the petition, saying petitioner Amarjeet Gupta, a law student, has no locus standi to seek the relief in favour of the arrested person.