The Delhi High Court has lifted a Rs 1 lakh penalty previously imposed on a lawyer who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting permission and facilities for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to govern from judicial custody.
Earlier this month, the court had dismissed the PIL, filed by advocate Shrikant Prasad, and deemed it non-maintainable, resulting in the penalty. Prasad’s PIL had advocated for virtual conferencing facilities to enable CM Kejriwal to communicate with Cabinet Ministers, ensuring seamless governance.
A division bench, consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet P. S. Arora, directed Prasad to participate in community service as mandated by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA).
Prasad filed an application seeking the penalty waiver, admitting the legal flaws in his PIL and acknowledging his mistake. His counsel highlighted Prasad’s track record of filing sincere petitions in various courts, including the Supreme Court, and conveyed his willingness to perform community service in place of the financial penalty.
The court, while waiving the costs, mandated that any future petitions by Prasad in any court must include a copy of the dismissed PIL and the May 27 order.
Additionally, Prasad’s PIL had called for media houses to be restrained from sensationalizing news regarding the Chief Minister’s possible resignation and the imposition of President’s Rule in Delhi.
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