Delhi High Court Rejects PIL to Deregister AAP and Disqualify Leaders
Delhi HC dismisses PIL seeking to de-register AAP, disqualify leaders
Image: Asianet Newsable
The Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation aimed at deregistering the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and disqualifying its leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak. The court found no legal basis for the request under the Representation of the People Act.
- 01The court ruled that there is no provision in the Representation of the People Act allowing the Election Commission of India to deregister a political party based on the claims made in the petition.
- 02The petitioner, Satish Kumar Aggarwal, alleged that the AAP leaders violated constitutional principles, but the court noted that contempt proceedings were already underway.
- 03The court emphasized that any punitive action against individuals undermining court dignity should be pursued under the Contempt of Courts Act.
- 04The High Court referenced a Supreme Court judgment, highlighting that deregistration of a political party is a serious matter and not within the Election Commission's general powers once registration is granted.
- 05The petition was dismissed for lacking merit, as it did not meet the legal grounds required for deregistration.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to de-register the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and disqualify its leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and Durgesh Pathak. The court, led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, found that the petition was misconceived, as there is no explicit provision in the Representation of the People Act that allows the Election Commission of India (ECI) to de-register a political party based on the allegations presented. The petitioner argued that the conduct of the AAP leaders showed a lack of allegiance to constitutional principles, but the court pointed out that contempt proceedings were already pending against them. The judges clarified that any punitive action should be pursued under the Contempt of Courts Act, and the consequences would apply to the individuals involved, not the party itself. The court also noted that deregistration is a serious matter, referring to a Supreme Court judgment that restricts the ECI's power to review once a party is registered. Ultimately, the court concluded that the PIL lacked merit and dismissed it.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The dismissal of the PIL reinforces the legal protections for political parties in India, ensuring that deregistration cannot be pursued without substantial legal grounds.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think the legal framework for deregistering political parties in India needs reform?
Connecting to poll...
More about Election Commission of India
&w=1200&q=75)
Enhanced Security Measures for Falta Assembly Repoll Amid Allegations of Tampering
Zee News • May 20, 2026
BJP Workers Replace Mamata Banerjee's Portrait in Asansol Mayor's Office
Asianet Newsable • May 20, 2026
Political Parties Call for Extension of Electoral Roll Revision in Karnataka
Deccan Herald • May 20, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.