National Desk, 13th February: The legal battle involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal persists as the Supreme Court extends its interim stay on proceedings related to alleged objectionable remarks during the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign in Uttar Pradesh. The case, which accuses Kejriwal of derogatory comments against the BJP and the Congress, sees him appealing the Allahabad High Court’s decision not to dismiss the criminal case pending before a trial court in Sultanpur. The Supreme Court’s bench, comprising Justices M M Sundresh and S V N Bhatti, agrees to hear Kejriwal’s appeal, maintaining the interim relief.
The court’s observations underscore the necessity for a focused legal examination, stating, “Let the interim order continue. What is all this? These are all irrelevant matters. It is not a matter for us to go into.” The case’s outcome holds significance for Kejriwal’s political standing and may establish precedents regarding election law violations and freedom of speech.
Arvind Kejriwal faces charges under Section 125 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951, for promoting enmity between classes based on remarks made during the 2014 election campaign. His defense contends that the comments were directed at a political party, challenging the applicability of Section 125. Kejriwal’s plea also questions the evidentiary basis of the case, highlighting the absence of video evidence or a full transcript of the alleged speech.
The plea raises concerns about bias in the police’s actions, noting that the FIR was registered without independent inquiry and solely based on a complaint alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, with the case holding implications beyond Kejriwal’s individual situation, touching on broader legal and political considerations.
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