Delhi High Court Waives ₹1 Lakh Costs Imposed On Lawyer For Filing PIL Concerning CM Arvind Kejriwal, Asks Him To Do Community Service

The Delhi High Court on Monday waived Rs. 1 lakh costs imposed on a lawyer who filed public interest litigation to restrain the media houses from creating “pressure and airing sensational headlines” regarding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation and imposition of President Rule in the national capital.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora directed the petitioner, Shrikant Prasad, to do community service in accordance with the directions of the DSLSA.

The PIL moved by Shrikant Prasad, an advocate by profession, sought permission for Kejriwal, who is in judicial custody in the liquor policy case, to run the government from jail. The court recently dismissed the plea with a cost of Rs. 1 lakhs.

An application was moved today by Prasad seeking waiver of the costs on the grounds that he accepts his mistake and that the PIL was bad in law.

His counsel informed the court that Prasad has a record of filing bona fide petitions in various courts including the Supreme Court.

He further submitted that Prasad is willing to do community service if the costs are waived.

While waiving the costs, the court directed that if any other petition is filed by Prasad in any court, a copy of the PIL [which was dismissed] as well as today's order will be annexed with it.

The PIL sought necessary arrangements for Kejriwal to interact with cabinet ministers through virtual conferencing.

It also sought to restrain Virendra Sachdeva, BJP Delhi president, from making any “undue pressure” by protest or statement by “illegal means” for Kejriwal's resignation and to initiate action against him for gathering “illegal assembly” for protest at DDU marg on April 10.

While dismissing it, the bench had observed that since Kejriwal has already filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by ED and the Apex Court is considering the issue of interim release, no orders for allowing him to interact with cabinet ministers through VC is called for in the PIL.

Title: SHRIKANT PRASAD v. GOVT OF N.C.T OF DELHI AND ORS

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 640