HC seeks Tihar Jail’s response as AAP MP challenges denial of meetings with Kejriwal

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Tihar Jail authorities to respond to a plea filed by AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who alleged that he was being denied permission to meet CM Arvind Kejriwal in prison.

Sanjay Singh in his plea claimed that the jail authorities refused his request for a physical meeting with Kejriwal on the grounds that he was a former prisoner, a decision he challenged as unjustified.

Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Singh, argued that the denial was based on a misapplication of Rule 588 of the Delhi Prison Rules, which restricts former prisoners and habitual offenders from meeting inmates unless a genuine reason exists.

Singh, a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, insisted that this rule was being misused by the authorities. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna granted the jail authorities three days, while the counsel for the authorities sought a week’s time to file their response. The next date for hearing has been set for September 9.

The plea also highlighted concerns about Kejriwal’s health, saying that his family was keen to meet him.

The case follows a similar petition by AAP MP Sandeep Pathak, who also sought permission to meet Kejriwal in Tihar Jail. Pathak’s request was initially granted, but later revoked after the authorities claimed his post-meeting statements violated prison rules. The court has reserved its decision on Pathak’s petition.