HC refuses to hear plea for quashing nomination of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today refused to entertain a plea of an NGO seeking quashing of the nomination paper of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the ground of "illegalities" in his affidavit filed before the poll panel in the 2013 assembly election.

A bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw directed NGO Maulik Bharat Trust to approach a magisterial court for the remedy.

"Whatever relief you (NGO) are seeking from this court cannot be granted in this PIL," the bench said, adding, "You can approach the magisterial court as the high court is not the appropriate forum."

The bench also said, "you have a good case, so go to an appropriate magistrate and argue your case and then ask for prosecution if there is any violation of the election rules".

It further said, "As per the apex court judgment, high court cannot hear PIL on election".

In its petition, the NGO alleged that Kejriwal violated provisions of the Representation of People Act by submitting an incorrect affidavit, regarding details of his assets and income, at the time of filing his nomination paper.

"In the affidavit submitted to Election Commission at the time of filing of nomination he submitted the wrong detail of his Indirapuram plot. He also undervalued the cost of his property and mentioned its market value at Rs 55 lakh. Present fair market value of the property is approximately Rs 2.4 crore....," the PIL said.