HC to hear plea against AAP parliamentary secretaries

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it would hear on May 20 a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the Arvind Kejriwal-led government’s move to appoint 21 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs as parliamentary secretaries.

A division Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice RS Endlaw said it would hear the plea on May 20. 

The PIL, filed by NGO Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, questioned the appointments and sought the court’s intervention. 

The PIL filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, central government and MLAs appointed as parliamentary secretaries asked the court to scrap the appointments, questioning their legal validity under provisions of the constitution and rules governing Delhi administration. 

Soon after coming to power, the Kejriwal-led government issued an order to appoint 21 AAP MLAs as parliamentary secretaries attached to government ministries. 

The government claimed this will facilitate smooth functioning but made it clear they will not receive any remuneration or perks of any kind from the government — meaning no burden on the exchequer. 

The order, however, permits them to use government transport for official purposes and earmarked space in the minister’s office to help them in official work. 

Seeking quashing of the order issued on April 13 by Kejriwal, the plea said the appointments were “unconstitutional, illegal and without jurisdiction”.

It also said that the Chief Minister has “no power, jurisdiction or authority” under the Constitution of India or any other legislative enactment to administer <g data-gr-id="23">oath</g> of office to parliament secretaries.