New Delhi, May 27,2024: The Delhi High Court, on Monday, waived a Rs 1 lakh penalty previously imposed on a lawyer who had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking permission and facilities for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to govern from judicial custody.
Turning it down as not maintainable, the High Court had earlier this month imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on advocate Shrikant Prasad.
His PIL had sought to facilitate virtual conferencing arrangements for CM Kejriwal to engage with Cabinet Ministers to ensure uninterrupted governance.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P. S. Arora directed Prasad to engage in community service as per the directions of Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA).
Prasad had filed an application seeking waiver of the costs, acknowledging his mistake and admitting that the PIL was legally flawed.
His counsel informed the court of Prasad’s history of filing bona fide petitions in various courts, including the Supreme Court. Prasad also expressed willingness to undertake community service in lieu of the financial penalty.
While waiving the costs, the court ordered that any future petitions filed by Prasad in any court must include a copy of the dismissed PIL and the order issued on May 27.
Prasad’s PIL had also sought to restrain media houses from sensationalising news about the CM’s potential resignation and the imposition of President’s Rule in the national capital.
The court had earlier observed that since CM Kejriwal has already filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by ED and that the top court is considering the issue of interim release, no orders for allowing him to interact with Cabinet Ministers through virtual conferencing is called for in the PIL.
The bench had said that it can neither impose censorship by directing the media to not air views nor stop