Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been relocated to Tihar Jail in the national capital following a city court’s decision to remand him to judicial custody. Kejriwal, who faces allegations linked to the excise policy, was transferred to jail number 2 where he will remain segregated from other inmates, according to a jail official.
Earlier today, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi ordered Kejriwal’s judicial custody after the conclusion of his custody with the Enforcement Directorate. His confinement is set until April 15 in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case that has stirred controversy.
Kejriwal’s Legal Demands and Jail Routine
In a bid to make his confinement more manageable, Kejriwal’s legal team has submitted a request for him to have access to three books during his stay in jail. Among the requested literature are religious texts such as the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita, alongside Neerja Chowdhury’s “How Prime Ministers Decide.” Additionally, Kejriwal seeks permission to possess a religious locket and adhere to a special dietary regimen.
Tihar Jail’s Daily Regimen
Kejriwal is expected to adhere to a structured routine within Tihar Jail, which typically commences at 6:30 AM. The day kicks off with a modest breakfast consisting of tea and bread slices, followed by a heartier lunch comprising dal-sabzi, roti, and rice. Midday sees prisoners confined to their cells until 3 PM, after which they receive evening tea and biscuits. Legal consultations are permitted around 4 PM, followed by an early dinner at 5:30 PM, mirroring lunch offerings. By 7 PM, inmates are once again secured in their cells for the night.
Incarceration of AAP Leaders
Kejriwal’s confinement aligns with that of his fellow AAP members embroiled in the excise policy scandal. Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, also implicated in the case, finds himself detained in jail number one. Similarly, MP Sanjay Singh, another AAP leader facing charges, occupies a cell in jail number five. Additionally, BRS leader K Kavitha is housed in jail number six of the women’s facility.
The Case and Allegations
The case revolves around allegations of a conspiracy involving Kejriwal and other AAP leaders in formulating an excise policy favoring specific individuals. The Enforcement Directorate, in seeking 15-day judicial custody for Kejriwal, cited his purported lack of cooperation as grounds for detention.
As Kejriwal and his associates navigate the legal intricacies of the excise policy controversy, their confinement in Tihar Jail underscores the gravity of the accusations against them. With legal proceedings underway, the nation watches closely as developments in the case unfold.
