Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday questioned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's decision to not appear before the Delhi High Court, asking if he considers himself above the law. The remark came after Kejriwal skipped a summons to appear in a defamation case, citing security concerns and prior commitments.
Kejriwal's Absence Raises Eyebrows
Jakhar, while addressing the media in Chandigarh, said, "If a common man can appear in court when summoned, why can't the chief minister? This shows a disregard for the judiciary." He added that Kejriwal's actions set a bad precedent and undermine the rule of law.
Political Reactions
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) defended Kejriwal, stating that the chief minister had informed the court in advance about his inability to attend due to security issues and a scheduled event. However, the Congress leader dismissed these arguments, saying that no one is above the law and that Kejriwal should respect the judicial process.
This is not the first time Kejriwal has faced criticism for skipping court appearances. In 2019, he was summoned in a defamation case filed by Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu but failed to appear, leading to a non-bailable warrant being issued against him.
Legal Implications
Legal experts point out that while courts may grant exemptions for valid reasons, repeated non-compliance can be viewed as contempt. The Delhi High Court has now issued a notice to Kejriwal, asking him to explain his absence. The next hearing is scheduled for next week.
Jakhar's remarks come amid an ongoing political tussle between the Congress and AAP in Punjab, where both parties are vying for power. The Congress has been accusing the AAP government of neglecting governance and focusing on political vendetta.
