Delhi HC Waives Rs 1 Lakh Cost on Lawyer for PIL Seeking Jail Facilities for Kejriwal

The Delhi High Court on Monday waived the Rs 1 lakh cost imposed on a lawyer for filing a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought appropriate arrangements for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to run his government from jail.

The court noted that the petitioner, an advocate, had acknowledged his mistake and directed him to undertake community service as per the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) instructions.

The petitioner had also requested that Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva be restrained from exerting any "undue pressure" for Kejriwal's resignation.

The petitioner had argued that although it was "practically impossible" to run a government from jail, it could be facilitated through technology.

He approached the Supreme Court on Monday seeking a seven-day extension of his interim bail for medical tests.

The Delhi High Court on Monday waived the Rs 1 lakh cost imposed on a lawyer for filing a public interest litigation (PIL) that sought appropriate arrangements for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to run his government from jail.

The court noted that the petitioner, an advocate, had acknowledged his mistake and directed him to undertake community service as per the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) instructions.

However, the court stipulated that if the petitioner files any future petitions, he must include copies of both the costs order and the waiver order.

The court's decision came in response to an application by the petitioner, who apologized and requested the waiver, citing his inexperience in litigation practice. He expressed his realization of the mistake, committed not to repeat it, and agreed to perform community service.