Tihar Authorities Rebuke Kejriwal Over Independence Day Letter: Claims of Privilege Abuse
New Delhi: Tihar Jail authorities have issued a stern reprimand to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that his recent communication to Lt Governor VK Saxena, which mentioned Cabinet minister Atishi would hoist the Tricolour on Independence Day, constitutes an “abuse of privileges” under the Delhi Prison Rules.
In a letter addressed to Kejriwal, the superintendent of Tihar’s Jail Number 2 referenced several provisions of the Delhi Prisons Rules, 2018. The authorities have warned Kejriwal to “desist from any such impermissible activity” or face potential curtailment of his privileges.
Kejriwal, currently incarcerated at Tihar Jail in connection with an alleged excise policy scam, had earlier informed the lieutenant governor that Atishi would perform the flag-hoisting duties during the Delhi government’s Independence Day celebrations in his absence. However, the lieutenant governor’s office reportedly did not receive any communication from Kejriwal regarding this matter.
The Tihar authorities clarified that Kejriwal’s letter, dated August 6, 2024, did not meet the criteria for permissible communication from within the prison. They emphasized that only private correspondence with a designated set of individuals is allowed, and Kejriwal’s letter did not conform to these guidelines. Furthermore, the contents of the letter were reportedly leaked to the media, which the authorities deemed a misuse of the privileges afforded to Kejriwal under the prison rules.
The superintendent’s letter highlighted that undertrials are governed by the legal constraints of the Delhi Prison Rules, which limit their rights and privileges. The authorities warned Kejriwal that any further violation of these rules could lead to a reduction in his privileges.
Citing Rule 588 of the Delhi Prisons Rules, the letter underlined that all prisoner correspondence should be restricted to private matters. The Tihar authorities have made it clear that any further deviation from these protocols could prompt stricter enforcement measures.
