Delhi High Court drops fine imposed on law student who sought interim bail for Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi High Court on Monday dropped the fine of ₹75,000 imposed on a law student who filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking extraordinary interim bail for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after the petitioner tendered an unconditional apology [We, The People of India v Union of India & Ors]..A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora had imposed the fine on the petitioner on April 22 while dismissing the PIL. The Court had observed that the submissions made in the PIL were contrary to the facts and untenable in law. Today, the petitioner filed an application seeking waiver of costs stating that he has now understood the judicial system and learned his lesson. The counsel appearing for the petitioner further said that he was tendering an unconditional apology. The Court considered the submissions and waived the costs. "In the event, the petitioner were to file any fresh proceedings before this court, a copy of the judgement dated April 22 and the order passed today shall be placed before the Court," the Bench ordered..The petitioner had filed the PIL under the name 'We, The People of India' and argued that he was representing the residents of Delhi.The plea contended that some people were trying to crush the reputation of Arvind Kejriwal by circulating false news on social media and since his arrest, the entire functioning of the Delhi government has come to a standstill.It said that even the judges cannot give back the time that Kejriwal spends in jail if he is acquitted of the charges.The petitioner also cited safety concerns and said that Kejriwal is confined in jail with hard core criminals who are facing the criminal cases of rape, murder, dacoity and even bomb-blast..The Court had dismissed the plea on April 22 after noting that the petition was filed without any basis and the petitioner did not have any power of attorney executed by Kejriwal authorising him to file such PIL."This court is of the view that the petitioner's claim of being custodian of people is devoid of any basis... The petitioner holds no power of attorney on behalf of the R5 to furnish any personal bond. In the present case R5( Kejriwal) has the means and wherewithal to file the case and proceedings which he has so done before this court as well as apex court. Consequently, this court is of the view that no relaxation of concept of locus standi is called for," the Bench had said. The Court further said that Kejriwal is in jail under judicial custody pursuant to a court order and a public interest litigation (PIL) petition against the same is not maintainable..Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21on allegations that he was the "key conspirator" in the Delhi excise policy case. The Delhi Chief Minister's plea challenging his arrest was rejected by the Delhi High Court on April 9. The Supreme Court later granted him interim bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.