Delhi High Court Reserves Order on Arvind Kejriwal’s Plea for Additional Lawyer Meetings
New Delhi, the Delhi High Court deliberated on Thursday over a plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, currently under judicial custody in Delhi excise scam cases, seeking additional virtual meetings with his lawyers. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Tihar jail authorities contested the plea, asserting equality under the law for all prisoners.
Kejriwal’s counsel argued that for a fair trial amid facing around 35 cases nationwide, he required two extra video conference meetings per week with his legal team. However, Tihar jail authorities opposed the petition, citing existing rules allowing only two meetings per week, irrespective of mode.
The ED raised concerns that Kejriwal might misuse lawyer meetings to communicate instructions to Delhi government ministers, urging judicial caution.
After hearing arguments, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna reserved her order, emphasizing the need to balance legal access with prison regulations.
Kejriwal challenged a trial court’s July 1 decision denying additional virtual meetings, which the court found unnecessary given previous rulings on the matter. The AAP leader remains in judicial custody following arrests linked to alleged corruption in Delhi’s excise policies, with associated legal battles ongoing.
Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI on June 26 and subsequent ED charges underline ongoing legal complexities surrounding Delhi’s excise policy, scrapped in 2022 amidst allegations of irregularities and favoritism.
