NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister
Arvind Kejriwal
‘s wife
Sunita Kejriwal
was denied permission to meet her husband on April 29 by the Tihar Jail authorities, Aam Admi Party (AAP) said on Sunday.
According to sources from Tihar jail, permission had been granted to Delhi minister Atishi, who had applied last week to meet Kejriwal on April 29, while Sunita’s application was received earlier on the same day.
A Tihar jail source said, “Sunita has been meeting Kejriwal, and there is no question of denying permission to her. We have to follow protocols, and preparations have already been made for Atishi’s meeting.”
However, AAP sources contested the claim made by the Tihar jail administration.
“Sunita Kejriwal was scheduled to meet him tomorrow (Monday), but the Tihar administration has declined permission. The jail administration has not provided any explanation for the refusal” the party remarked.
“The names of Sunita Kejriwal and Atishi were sent to the Tihar administration on April 27 for meeting the chief minister on Monday (April 29). The prison administration informed us just now that they would not allow Sunita Kejriwal to meet the CM on Monday. They will only allow Atishi,” a party functionary said.
In a post, the party alleged the Tihar jail administration of canceling Sunita Kejriwal’s meeting with her husband, Arvind Kejriwal, at the behest of the Modi government. The post also said that the government’s actions were inhumane. “At the behest of the Modi government, the Tihar jail administration annulled Sunita Kejriwal’s meeting with her husband, Arvind Kejriwal. The Modi government is surpassing all bounds of humanity.”
As per the jail manual, an inmate is entitled to two meetings per week. Two individuals can visit a prisoner at a time, with a maximum of four visits permitted in a week. The jail source further clarified that while permission for Atishi’s meeting had been applied for at least a week ago, Sunita’s application was made earlier on the same day. Therefore, the token number and formalities for Atishi had been finalized, and Sunita could meet Kejriwal later.
Meanwhile, security arrangements and protocol for Atishi and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who are scheduled to meet Kejriwal on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, are different from those for other common visitors.
Kejriwal has been in judicial custody since March 21 in connection with a money laundering case related to the excise policy. His custody is scheduled until May 7.
(With agency inputs)
