NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party‘s Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh alleged on Saturday that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was not being allowed to have face-to-face meetings with his family and other visitors in Tihar Jail.
Referring to rules 602 and 605 of Delhi Prison Rules of 2018, Singh alleged that the prisoners can meet visitors face to face but the Tihar administration, on “instructions” of BJP-led central govt, was insisting that Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, CM’s wife Sunita Kejriwal and others meet the AAP national convener with the glass wall between them and speak on the available intercoms.
“Retributive harassment is being committed against Arvind Kejriwal at the behest of BJP’s central govt and PM Modi. An attempt is being made to openly deprive him of even the minimum rights and facilities available in the jail, which has never happened in history before,” Singh alleged.
The AAP functionary alleged that even notorious criminals get to meet visitors “face to face” but Kejriwal’s wife was told that she cannot meet Arvind Kejriwal in a room. “Their intention is to humiliate the chief minister and break his morale. His wife will have to sit across a glass wall for the meeting,” he added.
A prison official, however, said the Delhi Prison Rules of 2018 does not have the provision for personal meetings. He also refuted the allegations of Kejriwal being prevented from meeting his family.
“We never discriminate against any inmate. They can give a list 10 people who can visit them and meet twice a week,” the prison official said. He added that the prison rules were being strictly adhered to. “All interactions between inmates and visitors take place through a ‘mulakat jungla’, a designated meeting area, ensuring a standardised process for everyone. This ensures that all prisoners, including high-profile individuals, are treated equally under the jail’s regulations,” the official added.
Delhi BJP said that Rule 602 of the jail manual, which was made by Kejriwal govt, states that for the safety of inmates, the meetings will be conducted through the glass wall and on intercom while face-to-face meetings will be allowed only with registered lawyers.
Singh further said that his and Mann’s meeting with Kejriwal earlier this week was cancelled after the token was issued. “Now when they have allowed the meeting, they are saying we will have to talk through the glass wall. I want to ask them to give one example since Tihar Jail was established, of meetings held with elected chief ministers like this,” the AAP functionary said.
“You have turned the country into a spectacle. You have thrown the country’s rules, laws and constitution into the trash can. The people will respond to this abuse, tyranny, oppression and arrogance,” Singh claimed.
Singh further claimed that Sahara Group’s head Subrata Roy used to have internet, phone and office facilities in Tihar Jail.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said arranging meetings between a state’s chief minister with a jailed prisoner was not a common practice for Tihar officials and no ordinary or high-security leader insisted on meeting prisoners in jail.
“Sanjay Singh is only trying to spread misinformation. He himself has spent a long time in jail. Can he tell if his meetings with visitors used to happen face-to-face daily or through the glass wall?” Sachdeva questioned.
He added that Singh and Mann were among the 10 expected visitors of the chief minister and that is why it took time for these meetings to be scheduled.
“Prisoners in jail are kept as per the jail manual and only the court can grant them any concession. Kejriwal has already been given many facilities, including home-cooked food, by the court,” Sachdeva said.
Referring to rules 602 and 605 of Delhi Prison Rules of 2018, Singh alleged that the prisoners can meet visitors face to face but the Tihar administration, on “instructions” of BJP-led central govt, was insisting that Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, CM’s wife Sunita Kejriwal and others meet the AAP national convener with the glass wall between them and speak on the available intercoms.
“Retributive harassment is being committed against Arvind Kejriwal at the behest of BJP’s central govt and PM Modi. An attempt is being made to openly deprive him of even the minimum rights and facilities available in the jail, which has never happened in history before,” Singh alleged.
The AAP functionary alleged that even notorious criminals get to meet visitors “face to face” but Kejriwal’s wife was told that she cannot meet Arvind Kejriwal in a room. “Their intention is to humiliate the chief minister and break his morale. His wife will have to sit across a glass wall for the meeting,” he added.
A prison official, however, said the Delhi Prison Rules of 2018 does not have the provision for personal meetings. He also refuted the allegations of Kejriwal being prevented from meeting his family.
“We never discriminate against any inmate. They can give a list 10 people who can visit them and meet twice a week,” the prison official said. He added that the prison rules were being strictly adhered to. “All interactions between inmates and visitors take place through a ‘mulakat jungla’, a designated meeting area, ensuring a standardised process for everyone. This ensures that all prisoners, including high-profile individuals, are treated equally under the jail’s regulations,” the official added.
Delhi BJP said that Rule 602 of the jail manual, which was made by Kejriwal govt, states that for the safety of inmates, the meetings will be conducted through the glass wall and on intercom while face-to-face meetings will be allowed only with registered lawyers.
Singh further said that his and Mann’s meeting with Kejriwal earlier this week was cancelled after the token was issued. “Now when they have allowed the meeting, they are saying we will have to talk through the glass wall. I want to ask them to give one example since Tihar Jail was established, of meetings held with elected chief ministers like this,” the AAP functionary said.
“You have turned the country into a spectacle. You have thrown the country’s rules, laws and constitution into the trash can. The people will respond to this abuse, tyranny, oppression and arrogance,” Singh claimed.
Singh further claimed that Sahara Group’s head Subrata Roy used to have internet, phone and office facilities in Tihar Jail.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said arranging meetings between a state’s chief minister with a jailed prisoner was not a common practice for Tihar officials and no ordinary or high-security leader insisted on meeting prisoners in jail.
“Sanjay Singh is only trying to spread misinformation. He himself has spent a long time in jail. Can he tell if his meetings with visitors used to happen face-to-face daily or through the glass wall?” Sachdeva questioned.
He added that Singh and Mann were among the 10 expected visitors of the chief minister and that is why it took time for these meetings to be scheduled.
“Prisoners in jail are kept as per the jail manual and only the court can grant them any concession. Kejriwal has already been given many facilities, including home-cooked food, by the court,” Sachdeva said.