File photo: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with party workers during the dharna near Rail Bhavan in New Delhi
The Supreme Court today issued notice to both Centre and Delhi government on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's 33-hour-long dharna or demonstration in the national capital early this week. The top court has sought a response within six weeks.
The court was hearing two Public Interest Litigation or PILs filed by two Supreme Court advocates which sought action against Mr Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and supporters of his Aam Aadmi Party for defying prohibitory orders. THe petitioners said this amounted to a breakdown of the constitutional machinery.
They also said that the protest, in the heart of Delhi, affected the free movement of people. The petitioners alleged the Chief Minister violated his oath of office.
Meanwhile, the Delhi police have registered four cases in connection with Mr Kejriwal's dharna. Two First Information Reports or FIRs were filed yesterday on complaints from women teachers, who alleged that they were stopped and harassed by demonstrators when they went to meet Mr Kejriwal at his protest venue to share their problems with him.
The other two cases were registered by the police on Monday and Tuesday, while the protest was on.
Mr Kejriwal is not directly named in any of the FIRs, but his name has reportedly been mentioned by the complainants and, police sources said, could be added when the chargesheet is filed.
The dharna by Mr Kejriwal witnessed several clashes between police and AAP workers, leading to injuries to at least 31 people, including cops and media personnel.
Mr Kejriwal's two-day demonstration, against cops who had not made arrests ordered by his ministers, left the centre of Delhi grid-locked, forced chaos upon commuters, and threatened to impede security and other arrangements needed for Sunday's Republic Day parade.
He called off his protest on Tuesday evening after the Centre sent one of the cops he wanted suspended on leave as part of a compromise.