The reason behind Tihar authorities not allowing Sunita Kejriwal to meet Arvind Kejriwal is due to the jail’s rules that stipulate only two people can visit a jailed individual at a time.
In this case, Delhi Minister Atishi had already been granted permission to meet Arvind Kejriwal on a specific date, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was scheduled to meet him the following day. As a result, the jail authorities cited these prior appointments as the reason for denying Sunita Kejriwal permission to meet her husband on the same day. The jail administration clarification was received on the same day, leading to the decision to prioritize Atishi’s visit. This situation highlights the constraints imposed by the jail’s visitation rules, which limit the number of visits per week and the number of individuals allowed to meet an inmate at a time.
Tihar Jail’s Explanation for the Denial
According to the jail authorities, the decision to deny Sunita Kejriwal’s request was based on the fact that two other individuals, Delhi Minister Atishi and Punjab Cheif Minister Bhagwant Mann, had already been granted permission to meet Arvind Kejriwal on the same day. The jail administration stated that they were unable to accommodate Sunita’s request due to the pre-existing appointments and the need to adhere to the visitation guidelines.
“The jail is a set of rules and regulations that govern the visitation process. We have to ensure that these rules are followed to maintain order and security within the prison,” a senior Tihar Jail official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
AAP’s Criticism and Allegations
The Aam Aadmi Party, however, has strongly condemned the decision, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) – led central government of using the jail authorities to “target” Arvind Kejriwal and his family.
‘This is a clear violation of Arvind Kejriwal’s basic rights. He is being denied the opportunity to meet his wife, which is a fundamental human right. This is a political vendetta and an attempt to harass the Kejriwal family,” said Saurabh Bharadwaj, a senior AAP leader and the party’s spokesperson.
The AAP has also alleged that the decision was made at the behest of the BJP-led central government, which they claim is using the jail authorities to “settle scores” with Kejriwal, a vocal critic of the ruling party.
Concerns Raised by Legal Experts
Legal experts have also weighed in on the issue, expressing concerns about the implications of the Tihar Jail authorities decision.
“The right to meet one’s family members is a basic human right, and it is enshrined in various international human rights treaties and conventions. Denying this right to an inmate, without a valid and compelling reason, could be seen as a violation of his fundamental rights,” said Advocate Prashant Bhushan, a prominent civil rights activist and lawyer.
Potential Impact on Kejriwal’s case
The denial of Sunita Kejriwal’s visitation request has also raised concerns about the potential impact on Arvind Kejriwal’s legal case. The AAP has alleged that the move is part of a larger strategy to “break” the Delhi Chief Minister and undermine his political standing.
“This is not just about denying Arvind Kejriwal the right to meet his wife. It is about creating a hostile environment for him in prison and making it difficult for him to prepare for his legal battle,” said Sanjay Singh, senior AAP leader.
In addition to the specific visitation at Tihar Jail limiting the number of visitors and visits per week may be other factors contributing to the denial of Sunita Kejriwal’s request to meet Arvind Kejriwal
- Security Concerns: Tihar Jail, being a high-security prison, has strict protocols in place to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and visitors. Any deviation from these protocols, such as accommodating additional visitors beyond the allowed limit, could pose security risks and lead to the denial of visitation requests.
- Scheduling Constraints: The jail authorities have to manage a large number of inmates and visitors, which can result in scheduling conflicts. In cases where multiple visitors have already been scheduled to meet an inmate on a particular day, accommodating additional visitors becomes logistically challenging and may not be feasible without disrupting the established schedule.
- Fairness and Quality: To maintain fairness and equality among all inmates and their visitors, jails often adhere strictly to their visitation policies to ensure that no individual receives preferential treatment over others. By enforcing these rules consistently, the authorities aim to prevent any perception of favoritism or special privileges.
- Legal and Administrative Procedures: Tihar Jail, like other correctional facilities, operates within a framework of legal and administrative guidelines that govern visitation rights. These regulations are designed to uphold the integrity of the correctional system and ensure that visits are conducted in a controlled and orderly manner.
Overall, while the denial of Sunita Kejriwal’s visitation request may seem restrictive, it is likely rooted in the need to maintain order, security, and fairness within the prison environment. Understanding these underlying reasons can provide context to the decision made by the Tihar Jail authorities in this particular case.
The controversy surrounding the Tihar Jail authority’s decision to deny Sunita Kejriwal’s request to meet her husband has once again highlighted the ongoing tensions between the AAP and the BJP-led central government. While the jail authorities have cited the need to adhere to their visitation guidelines, the AAP has accused them of acting at the behest of the BJP and violating Arvind Kejriwal’s basic rights.
As the legal battle continues, the case has raised important questions about the rights of inmates and the role of the prison system in ensuring fairness and transparency. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what implications it may have for Arvind Kejriwal’s case and the broader political landscape in India.