Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's Wife Granted Permission to Meet Him in Tihar Jail

On April 29, 2024, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal was granted permission by Tihar jail authorities to meet him, accompanied by Delhi cabinet minister Atishi. The meeting is scheduled for 12:30 pm today.

This development comes after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had accused the jail administration of cancelling Sunita Kejriwal's meeting with her husband due to alleged pressure from the Modi government. However, Tihar jail officials stated that permission was already granted to minister Atishi for a meeting on April 29, and protocols had been arranged accordingly.

Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar jail in connection with a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused him of being the "kingpin and the key conspirator" of the alleged scam, in collusion with other AAP ministers and leaders.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the ED on April 29. The ED has defended the arrest, stating that it was based on material evidence and that treating a politician differently from an ordinary criminal would violate the principle of equality. The Delhi High Court had earlier dismissed a petition seeking Kejriwal's interim bail, citing prima facie evidence against him.

Sunita Kejriwal held a roadshow in West Delhi on April 28, where she called Arvind Kejriwal a "sher" (lion) and said he was jailed because he had built schools, provided free electricity, and opened Mohalla Clinics in the national capital. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is also scheduled to meet Kejriwal on April 30.

Why this matters: The arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by central agencies has sparked a political controversy, with the AAP accusing the BJP-led government of targeting opposition leaders. The case has significant implications for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the political landscape of Delhi.

As per the jail manual, a prisoner is allowed to attend two meetings per week, with a maximum of four visitors and two visitors at a time. Kejriwal has provided a list of six individuals he wants to meet while in jail. The AAP has demanded transparency in the decision-making process, stating that an elected chief minister is being treated like a terrorist.

Key Takeaways

• Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita granted permission to meet him in Tihar jail.
• Kejriwal is lodged in Tihar jail over a money laundering case related to Delhi excise policy.
• Supreme Court to hear Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by Enforcement Directorate on Apr 29.
• Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann scheduled to meet Kejriwal in jail on Apr 30.
• AAP accuses BJP govt of targeting opposition leaders, demands transparency in decision-making.