'Just Because You Have To Run The Government From Jail': ED Opposes Kejriwal's Plea For More Meetings With Lawyers

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bid for more frequent meetings with his legal team while in Tihar jail has been met with resistance from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

As per reports by Indian Express, Opposing Kerjiwal's plea in the court, ED alleged that Kejriwal, who is currently in judicial custody over the excise policy case, was seeking expanded meeting privileges because it was becoming difficult for the AAP leader to run the government from jail.

The application, submitted by Kejriwal's advocates, requested five meetings a week instead of the current two, citing the burden of managing 35-40 ongoing cases across the country.

ED opposed the application, saying it was against the rules of jail manual.

“Your (Kejriwal’s) connection with the outside world must be limited…in no other state are prisoners allowed this,” ED's counsel Zoheb Hossain said, adding, “Just because you have to run the government from jail, you cannot be treated differently.”

Advocate Vivek Jain, representing Kejriwal, said that due to the multiple cases against him, Kejriwal could not be treated the same as someone who had just one case. 

Following arguments from both sides, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja reserved decision on the matter until 9 April.

Kejriwal's judicial custody stems from his arrest on 21 March in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, where he stands accused of involvement in diverting kickbacks to fund the AAP's Goa election campaign.

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