On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court instructed jail authorities to treat the petition filed by alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar as a formal representation and make a decision regarding his request for additional legal meetings. Chandrashekhar, currently in jail, has asked for an increase in the number of meetings he can have with his lawyers.
The bench, led by Justice Amit Mahajan, reviewed Chandrashekhar's plea for extra consultations. This case was previously overseen by Justice Subramonium Prasad, who had to recuse himself from hearing it.
Chandrashekhar has requested that the number of weekly meetings with his legal team be raised from two to five. His current allowance of two meetings per week is deemed insufficient due to the complexity of his cases, which include high-profile corruption and extortion charges.
Advocate Anant Malik, representing Chandrashekhar, argued that the petitioner’s legal issues span multiple jurisdictions and are highly complex. Thus, more frequent consultations are necessary to manage his defence effectively.
The petition also highlights personal challenges faced by Chandrashekhar, including separation from his family and the incarceration of his spouse, which adds to his distress and emphasises the need for regular legal consultations.
Chandrashekhar’s petition argues that the current limits on legal meetings infringe on his fundamental rights under Article 22(1) of the Indian Constitution. This article ensures the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of one’s choice.
To bolster his request, Chandrashekhar’s petition cites recent judicial precedents, including a case involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In that case, the Delhi High Court granted the accused five weekly meetings with their counsel, setting a precedent for similar allowances.
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