Delhi High Court Upholds Denial of AAP Leader's Jail Visit to Kejriwal

The Delhi High Court upheld the decision to deny AAP MP Sandeep Pathak's request to visit Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail. The court stated Pathak could file a new application in the future. Authorities denied visitation citing breach of prison rules by Pathak's media statements.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that the decision to deny Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sandeep Pathak's request to visit Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail was justified. The court clarified on Wednesday that if Pathak wishes to meet Kejriwal in the future, he can submit a new application, which will be evaluated by the Jail Superintendent according to the law.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, who dismissed the plea by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak challenging the prison authority's refusal, noted that the claims of injustice were unfounded. Jail authorities had previously allowed two meetings between Pathak and Kejriwal in April but recently denied further meetings, citing that Pathak's statements to the media violated prison rules and seemed politically driven.

In contesting Pathak's plea, the authorities argued his actions constituted a breach of prison conduct, justifying their opposition to further meetings. Senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing Pathak, stated that three other individuals had been allowed to visit Kejriwal, with two currently meeting him. Pathak's petition argued for a directive to allow physical visitation and interviews, asserting he had not breached prison rules and the denial of political discussions violated democratic and constitutional rights.

(With inputs from agencies.)