PIL against AAP over foreign funding

A petition was filed Wednesday in the Delhi High Court seeking registration of a criminal case against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly receiving foreign funds in violation of law.

A division bench of Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Manmohan, however, recused themselves from hearing the PIL due to personal reasons and transferred it to another bench for Oct 11.

Justice Ramana said: "There is something in the petition because of which I cannot hear the matter."

The plea was filed by advocate M.L. Sharma, who also sought seizure of accounts and funds secured by members of AAP.

"A direction to be issued to register a criminal case against the respondents (AAP members) under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) and conduct of day-to-day trial proceedings with the supervision of the court, in the interest of justice," the plea sought, naming Kejriwal and others.

The plea said the FCRA prohibits funding from foreign countries for a political party.

The plea was filed against advocates Shanti Bhushan and Bhushan, Kejriwal and party leader Manish Sisodia.