The Delhi High Court has permitted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to hold two additional virtual meetings with his lawyers every week in jail, saying special situations call for special remedies.Kejriwal, lodged in judicial custody in the alleged excise scam, was hitherto entitled to two meetings with his lawyers a week, in accordance with prison rules.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna granted the relief to Kejriwal in recognition of his fundamental right to fair trial and effective legal representation.
The AAP leader’s counsel had submitted he was facing around 35 cases across the country and, for a fair trial, he required two additional meetings with his lawyers via video conference.
The plea was vehemently opposed by the counsel for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Tihar jail authorities.
The high court rejected the contention that it would amount to special treatment to Kejriwal, saying it is not a situation where any special favour has been sought. It is a fundamental right which has been sought to be enforced, the judge said.
“Special situations call for special remedies. In view of the foregoing discussion, it is held that in recognition of fundamental right of fair trial and effective legal representation, the petitioner be granted two additional legal meetings with the counsel through video conferencing in a week, till he is confined to jail. The petition is accordingly allowed,” the high court said in an order passed on July 18 and made available on Thursday.
