Quixplained: can Arvind Kejriwal run Delhi govt from jail?

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case. Soon after his arrest, Delhi minister Atishi said that the chief minister will run the govt from jail.

Does a sitting chief minister have immunity from arrest?

The President of India and state governors are exempt from criminal and civil proceedings. However, the same immunity has not been granted to the prime minister or the chief ministers.

Can Kejriwal run Delhi govt from jail?

AAP minister Atishi told reporters soon after Kejriwal's arrest that he will continue to run the govt from jail.

A chief minister is not legally barred from running the govt from a jail. Their removal from office in case of an investigation, even if jailed, will happen only if they are convicted.

AAP leaders Satyendar Jain and Manisha Sisodia continued to hold their ministerial portfolios even after they were jailed. Jain resigned as minister 9 months after he was jailed. Sisodia stepped down two days after his arrest once the Supreme Court rejected his bail.