The PIL also sought directions to provide adequate facilities to Kejriwal in Tihar jail to enable him to interact with his cabinet members and members of the legislative assembly for the efficient functioning of the Delhi government.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora criticised the petitioner and said that the PIL was seeking a gag on political rivals which cannot be done by the Court.
It, therefore, imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on the petitioner, a lawyer.
“What do we do? Do we impose emergency or martial law? How do we gag the press or political rivals? Your prayer is… Do we say no one will speak against Mr. A or Mr. B,” the Court asked while rejecting the plea.
The Court made it clear that it can can neither impose censorship by directing media channels not to air their views nor can it proclaim emergency or martial law by stopping Kejriwal’s political rivals from protesting.
Source: Barandbench
