Tihar told to reply on CM plea for more virtual meets

New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Monday asked Tihar prison authorities to respond to a plea by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who has sought additional virtual meetings with his lawyers.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna gave the prison five days to file a reply and listed the matter for July 15.
Kejriwal has challenged a trial court's order rejecting his application for two additional meetings in a week with his lawyers through video conference.
At present, the jailed AAP national convener is allowed two meetings with his lawyers per week.
Kejriwal's lawyer contended that Aam Aadmi Party functionary was facing around 35 cases across the country and on grounds of the right to a fair trial, he required two more meetings each week with his lawyers via video conference.
However, Enforcement Directorate said it will file a response. When the high court sought to know the stand of the jail authorities, their counsel submitted that the rule is the same for all and a prisoner is entitled to two meetings with his or her advocate each week. He added all 35 cases were not being heard simultaneously in a week and so there was no need for additional meetings.
The trial court had earlier rejected the plea, saying no ground was made out to allow the two additional meetings through video conference.
In separate petitions, Kejriwal has challenged his arrest in the corruption case registered by CBI in connection with the alleged excise policy scam and also sought bail.
AAP functionary was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation on June 26 from Tihar Jail, where he is still in judicial custody in a connected money laundering case filed by Enforcement Directorate.
Kejriwal, arrested by Enforcement Directorate on March 21, was granted bail by the trial court in the money laundering case on June 20. However, the trial court's order was stayed by the high court.