The Delhi High Court on Monday waived the ₹75,000 fine imposed on a law student who had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) requesting extraordinary interim bail for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. This decision came after the petitioner offered an unconditional apology.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora had imposed the ₹75,000 fine on the petitioner on April 22 when dismissing the PIL.

The Court had noted that the arguments presented in the PIL were contrary to the facts and legally untenable. Today, the petitioner filed an application requesting a waiver of the costs, stating that he has now understood the judicial system and learned his lesson.

The counsel for the petitioner further stated that he was tendering an unconditional apology. Taking these submissions into account, the Court decided to waive the costs.

"In the event, the petitioner were to file any fresh proceedings before this court, a copy of the judgement dated April 22 and the order passed today shall be placed before the Court," the Bench ordered.

The petitioner had filed the PIL under the name 'We, The People of India,' arguing that he was representing the residents of Delhi.

The plea argued that certain individuals were attempting to tarnish the reputation of Arvind Kejriwal by spreading false information on social media. It further asserted that since his arrest, the entire operation of the Delhi government had been halted. The plea emphasized that even if Kejriwal were to be acquitted of the charges, the time he spent in jail could not be returned, not even by the judges.

The petitioner also cited safety concerns, stating that Kejriwal is confined in jail with hardcore criminals facing charges of rape, murder, dacoity, and even bomb-blasts. The Court dismissed the plea on April 22, noting that the petition lacked a basis and that the petitioner did not possess a power of attorney executed by Kejriwal authorizing him to file such a PIL.

The Court further emphasized that Kejriwal's detention in jail was under judicial custody based on a court order, and therefore, a public interest litigation (PIL) petition against it was not maintainable.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 on allegations that he was the "key conspirator" in the Delhi excise policy case. The Delhi Chief Minister's plea challenging his arrest was rejected by the Delhi High Court on April 9. Subsequently, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail, allowing him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.