Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court of India challenging certain proceedings in the Delhi excise policy case and alleging a violation of his fundamental rights.

In a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, Kejriwal has questioned a decision of the Delhi High Court that put a freeze on remarks related to the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The petition also challenges an order of the High Court Chief Justice rejecting Kejriwal’s request to transfer the case to another bench.

Plea seeks change of bench

Earlier, on March 11, Kejriwal and several others submitted a representation to Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya seeking reassignment of the case to what they described as an “impartial” judge.

In the representation, Kejriwal stated that he had a “grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension” that the matter may not receive an impartial hearing before the current bench.

However, the Chief Justice declined the request and said the petition had been assigned as per the existing roster.

According to the communication sent by the High Court’s Registrar General on March 13 to eight individuals including Kejriwal, the Chief Justice noted that any decision on recusal must be taken by the judge hearing the matter and that there was no reason to transfer the petition administratively.

Order on trial court proceedings also challenged

Kejriwal has also challenged a March 9 order passed by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court.

In that order, Justice Sharma had stayed a trial court direction that called for an investigation into a CBI officer who handled the excise policy case. The High Court had also asked the trial court to defer proceedings connected to the anti-money laundering aspect of the case.

Justice Sharma had further rejected certain observations made by the trial court while discharging Kejriwal and 22 others, stating that some of those remarks were erroneous.

Hearing expected on CBI plea

Meanwhile, Justice Sharma is scheduled to hear a petition filed by the CBI challenging the discharge of Kejriwal, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and others in the excise policy case.

The matter remains under judicial consideration as the legal challenge now moves to the Supreme Court.

Polling for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections is being held on Monday for 37 seats across 10 states, with voting taking place between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, according to the Election Commission of India.

The counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm, after polling concludes. Authorities have issued detailed guidelines and deployed observers to ensure that the voting process takes place smoothly and in a transparent manner.

Seats across 10 states going to polls

The elections are being conducted to fill vacancies in the Upper House from several states. The 37 seats up for election are distributed across the following states:

• Maharashtra – 7 seats
• Tamil Nadu – 6 seats
• Bihar – 5 seats
• West Bengal – 5 seats
• Odisha – 4 seats
• Assam – 3 seats
• Telangana – 2 seats
• Chhattisgarh – 2 seats
• Haryana – 2 seats
• Himachal Pradesh – 1 seat
  

These biennial elections are held as sitting members of the Rajya Sabha complete their six-year terms.

Key leaders completing their terms

Several prominent members of the Upper House are set to complete their terms in April, leading to the current round of elections.

Among them are Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale, along with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.

Other leaders whose terms are ending include Sharad Pawar, Upendra Kushwaha, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, M Thambidurai, and Tiruchi Siva.

Election Commission guidelines for voting

The Election Commission has issued specific instructions for voting during the Rajya Sabha elections.

MLAs participating in the election must use only the integrated violet sketch pen supplied by the Returning Officer to mark their preferences on ballot papers. The use of any other pen is not permitted.

Observers appointed by the Commission will monitor the polling process closely to ensure that the elections are conducted freely and fairly across all participating states.

With polling underway and counting scheduled later in the evening, results are expected to clarify the new composition of the Upper House.

The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for assembly elections in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry, triggering the immediate enforcement of the model code of conduct across the poll-bound regions.

The elections will take place in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry. With the announcement, political parties are now barred from making new policy announcements aimed at influencing voters, while the election watchdog assumes control over key aspects of the state administrative machinery.

Likely multi-phase voting in Bengal

According to sources within the Commission, voting in most states is expected to be conducted in a single phase. However, West Bengal may see polling spread across three to four phases because of its history of election-related violence.

During the 2021 assembly elections, the state went to the polls in eight phases. In contrast, Assam held voting in three phases, while Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry voted in a single phase.

From a security standpoint, West Bengal is considered particularly sensitive. Around 480 battalions of central security forces have reportedly been deployed there. The Commission has also indicated that decisions regarding the deployment of central forces will now be taken by police observers appointed by the poll body in consultation with district officials. Earlier, such decisions were handled by district police chiefs.

Key political battles in major states

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party are seeking a fourth consecutive term, while the opposition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party hopes to improve its electoral performance and challenge the ruling party.

The elections in the state are also taking place after the controversial Special Intensive Revision exercise, which became a major political issue and even reached the Supreme Court of India.

In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is aiming for a second term in power. The opposition alliance includes the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the BJP. Another factor drawing attention in the state’s political landscape is actor-politician Vijay, who has entered the political arena with his party TVK.

Political contests in Kerala and Assam

In Kerala, the contest is expected to centre on the traditional battle between the Left and the Congress-led alliance. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is seeking a third term after securing two consecutive mandates, a rare occurrence in a state known for alternating governments.

Meanwhile, in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is looking to retain power for a second term. The Congress-led opposition, under state leader Gaurav Gogoi, is hoping to mount a stronger challenge despite recent exits of several party leaders.

Contest in Puducherry

In Puducherry, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and his party, the All India NR Congress, are aiming for a third term. The opposition, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, is campaigning on promises of change.

With the model code of conduct now in force, all eyes will be on the upcoming campaign season as parties prepare for crucial contests across the five regions.