Protests, dharnas 'banned' near Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence

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Delhi: In a move, which some may call ironical, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has banned demonstrations in front of his official residence in the national capital.

Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) BK Jha issued an order under Section 144 of the CrPC, restricting demonstrations, making of speech by any political party outside Kejriwal's residence on Flag Staff Road in North Delhi's Civil Line area on Wednesday.

"It has been reported that various political parties and pressure groups may hold protests, demonstrations, dharnas, processions etc on political and others issues in front, near or around the residence of the chief minister, GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), which may create serious law & order problems...," the SDM (Civil Lines) said in his order.

These protests need to be prohibited in order to "prevent public nuisance, obstruction to traffic and persons, danger to inhuman lives or safety and public property," the order added, as per PTI.

He said in August, there are many festivals such as Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, Parsi New Year, Janamasthmi and people in general use to visit the CM and officers' residence in festive season.

"Therefore, it is apprehended that any demonstration, protests or dharna etc will create public nuisance and serious law and order problems. It will also cause obstruction to the vehicular traffic movement, danger to human lives and property," the order stated.

Setback for AAP govt: HC says LG is Delhi administrative head

Meanwhile, in a huge setback for Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Thursday held that the LG is the administrative head of National Capital Territory and the AAP government's contention that he is bound to act on the advice of Council of Ministers was "without substance".

The decision comes after months-long turf war between LG Najeeb Jung and Kejriwal for the reins of Delhi.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath dismissed AAP government's plea challenging the Centre's May 21, 2015, notification giving absolute powers to LG in appointing bureaucrats in the national capital.

The court also quashed several notifications issued by Kejriwal after returning to power last year, saying they were illegal as they were issued without concurrence of LG.

The bench, in its 194-page judgement, said the AAP government's contention that the LG is bound to act on the aid and advice of Council of Ministers was "without substance and cannot be accepted".

(With PTI inputs)