The Rouse Avenue Court Today (April 5th) reserved the order on an application filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. His request was to raise the frequency of legal meetings with his lawyers from twice a week to five times. He argued that due to multiple FIRs across various states, there’s a significant legal workload, warranting more meetings.
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NEW DELHI: The Rouse Avenue Court, today, reserved the order on an application brought forth by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, wherein he sought a directive to augment the frequency of legal consultations with his attorneys from two sessions per week to five.
In his plea, Kejriwal underscored the mounting legal challenges he faces due to multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged against him across various states, asserting that the current regimen of legal meetings falls short in addressing the substantial workload efficiently.
“Given the multitude of FIRs lodged against me in different states, there is a substantial amount of legal work to be undertaken, warranting a higher frequency of legal meetings,”
-Kejriwal asserted in his plea.
The court proceedings, presided over by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, culminated in the reservation of the verdict, scheduled for April 9, 2024.
Representing the respondents, Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain opposed Kejriwal’s application, contending that the plea for five legal meetings per week contravenes the Jail Manual.
“As per the manual, only one legal meeting is allowed in a week, with provisions for a maximum of two meetings under special circumstances. The applicant is already availing two legal meetings,”
-stated the authorities in their opposition.
The legal representatives further emphasized the principle of equity, asserting that individuals, even if holding public office, cannot expect preferential treatment while incarcerated.
“If someone chooses to run the government from jail, you can’t be treated exceptionally,”
-remarked the lawyers.
Kejriwal’s judicial custody, which commenced on April 1, 2024, stems from his involvement in the excise policy money laundering case. On the same day, the court issued directives to Tihar Jail authorities to accommodate Kejriwal’s prescribed medication, books, a table and chair, a religious locket, and a specialized diet, adhering to the jail manual.
The Chief Minister’s detention follows his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, 2024, concerning allegations of corruption linked to the excise policy case. This unprecedented event marks the first instance in independent India of a serving Chief Minister facing arrest. Kejriwal’s apprehension ensued after he disregarded multiple summons from the investigation agency, totaling nine, deeming them “illegal.”
The case revolves around purported irregularities and money laundering associated with the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy 2022, subsequently annulled.
Although Arvind Kejriwal was not initially implicated in the First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by either the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi excise policy case, his involvement came to light when his name surfaced in the ED’s chargesheet. According to the agency’s assertions, Kejriwal purportedly engaged in a video call with Sameer Mahendru, a primary suspect, instructing him to persist in collaborating with his co-accused, including AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair.
Nair was among the first individuals apprehended by the CBI in 2022 concerning the aforementioned case. Following his arrest, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were also detained in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Arvind Kejriwal
Click Here to Read Previous Reports of Delhi Excise Policy Scam
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