Politics
Kejriwal put his own interests first by not quitting, says Delhi High Court
Kejriwal put his own interests first by not quitting, says Delhi High Court
On Friday, the Delhi High Court criticized Arvind Kejriwal’s administration for failing to supply books to children attending MCD public schools. The court concluded that Kejriwal put personal interests over national objectives by refusing to resign as Chief Minister while in jail.
These observations were delivered by a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora while hearing a PIL on the deteriorating conditions of MCD schools as a result of the local body’s logjam.
According to the court, the Delhi government was “interested in the appropriation of power”. It further claimed that while it has “politely” stressed that national interests are “supreme,” the current case has revealed what was “wrong,” and that it would issue an order in the subject on Monday.
“I’m sorry to hear that you’ve prioritized your interests over the interests of the pupils, the children who are hstudying. We will conclude that you prioritize your political interests over others.It is quite unfortunate that you did this. It is wrong, and that is what has been highlighted in this case,” it stated.
“I’m sorry to hear that you’ve prioritized your own interests over those of the pupils, the children who are studying. We conclude that you prioritize your political interests over others. It is quite unfortunate that you have done this. It is wrong, and that is what has been highlighted in this case,” it stated.
“I am not sure how much authority you want. The problem is that you are attempting to take authority, which is why you are not receiving it,” the court stated.
The Delhi government counsel stated that he was not representing the chief minister and assured te court that the issue of non-supply of educational materials would be resolved if the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner made a formal request for financial approvals despite the absence of the civic body’s standing committee.
ACJ Manmohan also criticized Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, claiming that he had turned a blind eye to the situation of students and was crying crocodile tears.
The court noted that the Delhi government counsel was attending on instructions from Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and added, “We will record your statement that I am unable to do anything because the chief minister is in custody.” If that is his personal choice, good luck to him.”
“It is your decision whether the chief minister would continue to serve while in jail. We will have to say something. This is your administration’s decision. You are asking us to follow that path, and we will do it with zeal,” Justice Manmohan stated.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Social Jurist, represented by counsel Ashok Agarwal, which highlighted the non-supply of educational materials and other statutory advantages to children in MCD schools even after the start of the current academic session.
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“As a court, we are not responsible for distributing books or clothing. We are doing this because someone is failing in their job. Your client is only interested in power. I’m not sure how much power you want. “The problem is that you are attempting to appropriate power, which is why you are not receiving it,” it continued.
The court also cautioned the government not to underestimate it. “Don’t underestimate our guts.” You underestimate our power… “You are using children as a trading point, but they are not a trading commodity for us,” it stated.
