Delhi HC slaps ₹75,000 cost on law student seeking ‘extraordinary interim bail’ for Kejriwal

The Delhi High Court on April 22 dismissed a fresh petition, filed by a law student, seeking “extraordinary interim bail” for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with a cost of ₹75,000.

The Delhi High Court on April 22 dismissed a fresh petition, filed by a law student, seeking “extraordinary interim bail” for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with a cost of ₹75,000.

The high court said the petitioner, who claimed to represent the people of India, lacked “locus standi” to approach the court on behalf of Mr. Kejriwal, who was arrested in connection with a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

Mr. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21. He is in judicial custody till April 23.

The petitioner, a law student, mentioned his name as “We, the people of India” in the plea, stated that to fulfil the responsibilities of the Chief Minister, the physical presence of Mr. Kejriwal is required in his office to take quick decisions on all issues and to pass orders in the welfare of the public at large.

At the outset, bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora questioned the petitioner, “who are you to exercise any veto power (to release Mr Kejriwal). You are a member of the United Nations?”

“He (Mr Kejriwal) does not want your assistance. Leave it at that. This gentleman is in judicial custody by the orders of the court,” the bench told the petitioner, who despite the judges cautioning him an impending cost continue to press his plea.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for the chief minister, termed the petition as “an ambush litigation” and questioned how could such petition be moved by anybody.