The Delhi High Court has ruled in favor of allowing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal two additional virtual meetings with his lawyers every week while he remains in jail, recognizing the unique circumstances of his case which require special judicial consideration.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna acknowledged the need for Kejriwal to have enhanced access to legal consultation due to the complexity and number of cases he is currently facing. Previously, Kejriwal was entitled to two lawyer meetings per week under standard prison regulations. The new ruling increases his access to legal counsel, facilitating four interactions per week to better prepare his defense.
Kejriwal has been embroiled in a series of legal battles, including a prominent case related to an alleged excise scam that led to his initial incarceration. He faces around 35 cases nationwide, which his counsel argued necessitate more frequent legal consultations to ensure a fair trial.
Despite being granted bail by a trial court in a related money laundering case on June 20, Kejriwal’s release was obstructed when the High Court stayed the lower court’s order. Subsequently, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail on July 12 in the money laundering case, pending a larger bench’s review of critical legal questions concerning arrest protocols under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The plea for additional meetings was met with opposition from both the counsel for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Tihar jail authorities, highlighting the contentious nature of Kejriwal’s legal entanglements.
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Kejriwal’s continued detention in connection with the alleged excise scam, which the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered to be investigated by the CBI in 2022, remains a focal point of significant legal and political discourse. The CBI and ED allege that the excise policy was manipulated to extend undue favors to certain licensees, charges that Kejriwal and his legal team are actively contesting.
