The Delhi High Court on Wednesday has directed Tihar Jail authorities to respond to AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s plea, claiming he was barred from meeting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in prison.
Singh alleges the jail denied him a physical meeting, citing his status as an ex-prisoner.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna gave the authorities three days to file their response and scheduled the next hearing for September 9. Kejriwal is currently in Tihar Jail under judicial custody related to the alleged excise policy scam.
Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Singh, argued that Singh, as a Rajya Sabha MP, was wrongfully denied a meeting based on his past prison status. Mehra highlighted Kejriwal’s serious health issues and Singh’s commitment to comply with any conditions set for the meeting.
The jail authorities cited Rule 588 of the Delhi Prison Rules, which limits visits from ex-prisoners unless there is a genuine reason. Singh’s legal team argues this rule is being misused.
The court has granted the authorities three days to submit their response. Singh, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on April 2 in the excise policy case, is also facing prosecution by the Enforcement Directorate.
Earlier, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak had sought permission to meet Kejriwal but was denied after his earlier meetings, with authorities claiming his statements were politically motivated and violated prison rules. The court has reserved its decision on Pathak’s plea.
