Delhi High Court criticizes AAP govt over textbook shortage amid Kejriwal’s legal troubles

The Delhi High Court, on Friday, April 26, delivered a stern reprimand to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for their failure to provide textbooks to over 200,000 students in public schools. This admonishment came amid heightened scrutiny of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal and political conduct, particularly regarding his continued role despite being incarcerated on charges related to a money laundering case connected to the liquor policy scam.

During a session addressing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) focused on the poor conditions within MCD schools, the Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora expressed concerns over the government’s priorities. The court accused the Delhi government of prioritizing power over the educational needs of its students, with an order on the matter expected to be passed on Monday.

The remarks from the court were direct and pointed. “I am sorry to say you have placed your interest above the interest of the students, the children that are studying. That is very clear and we are going to give that finding that you have placed your political interest at a higher pedestal…It is very unfortunate that you have done this. It is wrong and that is what has got highlighted in this matter,” stated the Court.

The Delhi government’s controversial excise policy, which was implemented on November 17, 2021, and scrapped by the end of September 2022, has been at the center of these allegations. Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 has further compounded the political turmoil, with the AAP vehemently denying all corruption allegations.

The ongoing legal and political saga surrounding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has cast a shadow over the governance of Delhi, particularly in how it affects administrative functions and public services like education. The high court’s impending decision could signal a critical reevaluation of political accountability and governance standards in the region, potentially influencing future policy and administrative reforms.