SC raps BJP leaders for derogatory comments against Kejriwal
The Supreme Court recently slammed two BJP leaders for making derogatory statements against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal about the sealing drive. Justice MB Lokur-led bench admonished BJP MLA OP Sharma and municipal councilor Gunjan saying, "How can you make such statements against head of the state?" They were in court after SC issued contempt notices against them for obstructing sealing of unauthorized commercial units.
What is the sealing drive?
In August, an SC-appointed monitoring committee directed Delhi municipal bodies to begin sealing commercial structures in unauthorized colonies. The urban development ministry opposed this order claiming that 40L people dependent on these establishments would lose their jobs. However, MCD began locking down commercial firms operating from residential complexes without paying conversion charges and those that came up illegally on agricultural and forest land.
What was the case against BJP MPs?
The duo allegedly obstructed the court-appointed committee's drive to seal unauthorized commercial units in Northeast Delhi's Shahdara. The court dropped contempt proceedings against them after the video didn't show any "obstruction" as such. However, the bench objected to the way their supporters carried banners and placards with slogans against CM Kejriwal. It also objected to the crowd unfurling flags of a particular political party.
How did the court react to CM Kejriwal's insult?
Justice Lokur criticized them for "destroying the CM institution just because he belongs to another party." He added that Kejriwal has nothing to do with the sealing drive. He said, "Are you telling the people that you can say whatever you want to about a CM?" The order also recorded this: "Steps should be taken by supporters not to insult public functionaries through banners/placards."
