Mann meets Kejriwal in jail, says he is being treated like ‘ terrorist’, made to talk to him over phone
Punjab CM says a glass wall separated them and they could not see each other’s face as it was dirty; DG (Prisons) says no distinction made in treatment to inmates; Delhi Chief Minister will start holding review meetings from next week: AAP
unjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail and alleged that he is being treated like a “terrorist”. Mr. Mann said he was made to speak with Mr. Kejriwal over the phone through a glass wall.
Mr. Mann was accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak during the meeting that lasted for half an hour.
Responding to Mr. Mann’s charge, Director General (Prisons) Sanjay Baniwal said no distinction is made in the treatment meted out to the inmates and it is ensured they get the same basic right.
It was the first meeting of the two Chief Ministers after Mr. Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21 in a money laundering case by the En
Pforcement Directorate.
The Punjab Chief Minister had not been able to meet Mr. Kejriwal last week as the Tihar administration had revoked permission for the meeting citing security reasons.
The Punjab CM said he got emotional on seeing the treatment being meted out to the AAP national convener.
“We were made to talk to Arvind Kejriwal over the phone through a glass wall. The glass was very dirty and we could not even see each other’s face clearly,” he said.
Mr. Mann said according to the jail manual, an accused can be allowed facetoface meetings on account of good conduct. “But today, the meeting was arranged through the phone as if a big criminal was sitting,” he said.
“We don’t know why there is so much hostility towards us that we are being treated like terrorists. Why is Arvind Kejriwal being treated like this? Such behaviour with the Opposition [leaders] will cost them [BJP] dearly. Arvind Kejriwal is an honest person, who started the politics of transparency,” he added.
‘Ministers to visit CM’ After the meeting, Mr. Pathak told reporters that the Delhi Chief Minister will start holding review meetings in the jail and will call two Ministers to discuss the progress on works every week.
Mr. Pathak said the Chief Minister wasn’t concerned about his own condition but all he wanted to know was if people were getting basic facilities.
Quoting his conversation with Mr. Kejriwal, Mr. Pathak told reporters that the CM said, “Do not worry about me, I’m ready for the struggle. You tell me if the public is doing fine, what are the people saying? Are they still getting free electricity? Is there any hurdle in that? Tell me if the schools are functioning properly? Tell me if the hospitals and Mohalla Clinics are functioning properly? Are they getting free medicines or not?”.
‘Everyone treated alike’ Meanwhile, Mr. Baniwal said an inmate can sign legal papers and personal complaints during his judicial custody but underlined that documents signed should not be political in nature.
“Nobody is accorded special treatment and there is no such provision,” the officer said responding to the allegations levelled by the Punjab CM.
(With PTI inputs)