The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sandeep Pathak, who sought permission to meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail. The court cited a previous incident where Pathak, after a meeting with Kejriwal in April, made political statements that breached Delhi Prison Rules.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna expressed concern over Pathak’s actions, stating that he acted as a representative or spokesperson for the Chief Minister rather than engaging in personal communication. The court emphasized that his statements were not an exercise of free speech but instead violated the restrictions set by the prison regulations.
Pathak had challenged Tihar Jail’s decision to deny his request for a physical meeting, but the court upheld the jail’s stance, pointing out that his earlier political statements had violated Rule 587 of the Delhi Prison Rules.
The court, however, noted that if Pathak submits future requests for meetings, they should be considered in accordance with the law.
Senior lawyers Sudhir Nandrajog and Rahul Mehra, along with a legal team, represented Pathak in the case.
