“Tihar Prison is currently housing approximately 20,000 inmates (including undertrials and convicts) out of which many of the inmates are facing trial in many cases, even more than the petitioner herein, but the Rule 585 of Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 is equal for all and Kejriwal cannot be granted special treatment.” the jail authorities said
NEW DELHI: Today (16th July): The Tihar Jail authorities have opposed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s request for additional legal meetings, arguing that he should not receive special treatment.
In their response filed before the Delhi High Court, the jail authorities stated that the current limit of two weekly visits by family members, relatives, friends, and legal advisers is not arbitrary.
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They emphasized that the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution applies equally to all inmates, many of whom are facing multiple trials, and all adhere to the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018.
The authorities have stated in their reply that,
“Tihar Prison is currently housing approximately 20,000 inmates (including undertrials and convicts) out of which many of the inmates are facing trial in many cases, even more than the petitioner herein, but the Rule 585 of Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 is equal for all and Kejriwal cannot be granted special treatment.”
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Kejriwal had approached the high court after the trial court denied his request for three additional meetings with his lawyers. In his plea, he argued that he is involved in litigation across multiple states, including Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Assam, and Delhi, and requires additional legal meetings to ensure a fair trial.
The Delhi High Court issued notices to Tihar Jail authorities and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in response to a plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, seeking permission for additional meetings with his legal team. The notice was issued by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, who has sought responses from both Tihar Jail and the ED.
Kejriwal argued that he is currently entangled in 35 legal cases across the country, necessitating more frequent meetings with his legal team to formulate an effective legal strategy. Currently, Kejriwal is permitted to meet with his legal team only twice a week.
Initially, Kejriwal had approached the trial court with a request to increase the number of his legal meetings to four per week, citing the extensive legal challenges he faces. He proposed that these additional meetings could be conducted through virtual conferences.
However, Special Judge (PC Act) Kaveri Baweja denied the request. In her decision, Judge Baweja highlighted that Kejriwal had previously filed a similar plea, which had also been rejected by the court.
Following the trial court’s rejection, Kejriwal escalated the matter to the High Court, challenging the special court’s order.
