Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Chief Minister in judicial custody until April 15, requested necessary medicines and permission to carry books including Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana upon his transfer to Tihar Jail on March 1st.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on March 1st), Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, who was recently remanded to judicial custody until April 15 in connection with a liquor policy case, submitted several requests before being transferred to Tihar Jail. As arrangements are being made in the jail for his admission, Kejriwal’s legal representatives presented five appeals on his behalf during the court proceedings.
Firstly, Arvind Kejriwal requested to be provided with necessary medicines during his time in jail. Secondly, his lawyers sought permission for him to carry three books inside the jail – Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and How Prime Ministers Decide by journalist Neerja Chowdhury. These books are expected to help the educated Chief Minister utilize his time productively.
Additionally, Kejriwal requested to retain a religious locket that he currently wears, emphasizing the importance of his faith. Moreover, he asked for a special diet to meet his specific dietary requirements. Finally, the Chief Minister demanded a table and chair, ensuring a comfortable workspace within the jail premises.
Priyanka Kakkar, the spokesperson for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), commented on Kejriwal’s request for books, highlighting his educational background and his inclination towards utilizing his time productively.
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She stated-
“That’s the reason he requested the books.”
During the investigation related to the liquor policy case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed that Arvind Kejriwal named fellow AAP leaders and Delhi Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj.
As per the ED, Kejriwal claimed that Vijay Nair, previously apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and implicated in the liquor policy case, reported to Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj instead of directly to the Delhi Chief Minister.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 and initially sent to the agency’s custody until March 28. The remand was extended by another four days, and eventually, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi ordered his judicial custody until April 15.
A meeting was held to determine the jail cell where the Delhi Chief Minister would be accommodated during his time in custody. Tihar Jail comprises a total of nine cells, with Kejriwal’s AAP colleagues Satyendar Jain, Sanjay Singh, and Manish Sisodia currently lodged in different cells.
Furthermore, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) member K. Kavitha, also associated with the liquor policy case, is currently in lady jail number 6. Overall, the jail houses nearly 12,000 prisoners.
Kejriwal’s legal team filed a request to allow the Chief Minister to have access to three books while in custody. The books he requested are Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and How Prime Ministers Decide by journalist Neerja Chowdhury. In addition to books, Kejriwal sought a special diet, necessary medicines, and permission to retain the religious locket he was wearing upon entering judicial custody.
The arrest and subsequent requests made by Arvind Kejriwal followed alleged non-cooperation by him during the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation into the money laundering case associated with the excise policy.
The Delhi High Court has directed the ED to file a status report before the trial court regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to restrain Kejriwal from issuing orders or directions while in custody. The court has instructed the federal agency to treat the PIL as its own representation.
ALSO READ: “Prison Rules Prohibit K Kavitha from Receiving Home-Cooked Food”: Jail Official Informs Court
Meanwhile, during his appearance before the court, Kejriwal expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of the Prime Minister, stating-
“Whatever the prime minister is doing (referring to his arrest) is not good for the country.”
In the courtroom, AAP ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, were present to support him.
