Bhagwant Mann granted to meet Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail
PTC News Desk: On a second request, Bhagwant Mann is slated to meet Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail. Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, has been detained on corruption charges related to an alleged liquor policy scam. The meeting between Kejriwal and Mann is scheduled for noon on April 15, as per officials' confirmation to NDTV on Friday.
This meeting arrangement comes after earlier denials due to security concerns. A collaborative effort involving senior officials from Tihar, as well as police from Delhi and Punjab, worked out a security arrangement for the encounter between the two opposition leaders.
Initially, Kejriwal had submitted a list of six individuals, including his wife and children, for visitation approval after his imprisonment. Notably absent from the list was Bhagwant Mann.
Arvind Kejriwal was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. This incident has significantly affected the Aam Aadmi Party, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
Subsequently, on April 1, Kejriwal was remanded to judicial custody for two weeks. Although the Enforcement Directorate stated they wouldn't seek further custody, they emphasised Kejriwal's uncooperative behavior during questioning.
Kejriwal is currently held in Tihar's Jail No. 2, alongside former deputy Manish Sisodia, who is also implicated in the case. Kejriwal's health condition, exacerbated by diabetes, initially raised concerns but has since stabilized. Special provisions, such as home-cooked meals, bottled water, and tailored bedding, have been granted due to his health needs.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges Kejriwal's direct involvement in the formulation of the now-defunct liquor policy, which purportedly facilitated kickbacks totaling Rs 600 crore. These funds allegedly supported AAP's election campaigns.
Opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party, have accused the Enforcement Directorate of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The agency claims Kejriwal to be the "kingpin" of the corruption scheme.
Kejriwal vehemently denies the charges, attributing them to a conspiracy to undermine AAP's electoral prospects. He has received staunch support from his colleagues, including Bhagwant Mann.
In March, when the ED team arrived at Kejriwal's residence for his arrest, Mann proclaimed that the BJP's political machinery, represented by the ED, cannot stifle Kejriwal's ideology.
Mann has even proposed setting up an office for Kejriwal in jail to facilitate his governance duties in Delhi. This suggestion has sparked debate between AAP and BJP regarding the feasibility and legitimacy of governing from behind bars.
The BJP insists that Kejriwal should step down from his position as Chief Minister, arguing that his incarceration undermines his ability to govern. However, AAP contends that Kejriwal's status as a non-convicted individual allows him to continue his duties.
Despite the controversy, Kejriwal has issued directives to ministers, prompting objections from the BJP. The political standoff between the two parties persists amidst these developments.
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- With inputs from agencies
