New Delhi: Jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did not get any interim relief from the Supreme Court on Monday on a plea challenging his arrest in the Delhi Excise Policy scam. A two-judge bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate to file its reply on the CM’s plea by April 24.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, told the court that the ED has not named the CM in its charge sheet, its purpose is to stop him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. But the bench refused to bow. Later, a city court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody in Tihar jail till April 23.
At Tihar, Director General (Prisons) Sanjay Bainiwal said Kejriwal can sign only two types of documents while in judicial custody, and they cannot be of political nature.
“He or any prisoner in judicial custody can sign only two types of documents, which cannot be of political nature,” Bainiwal told this newspaper over phone. He said, the two types of documents can be either legal papers or any document related to the property. His comments came as AAP leaders reiterated that the CM will continue to run the government from jail and from next week he will call two ministers to Tihar every week and review their work.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused Tihar officials of treating Kejriwal like terrorists. Mann said, “Kejriwal is being treated like a terrorist in jail…When we met today, there was a glass wall between me and him.” But Tihar officials refuted this, saying, “There is no difference between a fanatic or an ordinary criminal.”
Can write to family, friends
As per the jail manual, undertrials and civil prisoners will be given all reasonable facilities only to give interviews or write letters to their family members, friends and legal advisors. “Prisoners should also be allowed to correspond with the lawyers handling their cases.” If it is found that the prisoner associates with undesirable persons, such incoming and outgoing letters will be stopped,” says the jail manual.