Government Stalls After Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest: High Court

The Chief Minister’s role in a dynamic city like Delhi is not merely ceremonial; it requires constant availability. The court emphasized that the absence of the Chief Minister should not affect the provision of essential items such as free textbooks, writing material, and uniforms for children. The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora stressed the importance of the Chief Minister being accessible and engaged in the best interest of the public. The court addressed the statement made by Delhi’s Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, emphasizing that any increase in the financial power of the MCD commissioner would necessitate approval from the Chief Minister.

This admission was interpreted as an indication that the functioning of the Delhi government had come to a standstill following the Chief Minister’s arrest. The petition highlighted the administrative challenges that led to a lack of basic amenities for nearly two lakh students at the beginning of the academic year. During the hearing, the High Court criticized Chief Minister Kejriwal, the Delhi government, and the civic body for their failure to provide textbooks and other essential items. The judges expressed concern that the Chief Minister’s insistence on remaining in office even after his arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case seemed to prioritize political interests over national interests.

In response to the court’s rebuke, the office of the Lieutenant Governor accused the AAP-led Delhi government and Saurabh Bharadwaj of delaying the approval of a proposal to temporarily enhance the financial powers of the MCD Commissioner. This delay was argued to have hindered crucial projects related to education, health, and sanitation, as the Standing Committee of the Corporation had not been constituted for over a year.