New Delhi: Documents accessed by CNN-News18 reveal that AAP wanted the taxpayers' money to foot the bill of the eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani defending the CM in a defamation suit filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
In his letter to the L-G, the Deputy CM Manissh Sisodia asserted that Kejriwal had made these remarks in capacity of Delhi CM, thereby "making GNCT duty bound to provide for a good lawyer to the CM".
Documents show that Jethmalani sent a bill of Rs 1 cr as retainer and charged Rs 22 lakh per appearance.
Documents accessed by CNN-News18.
Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia sent a letter for approval to L-G saying: "The statements made by Honourable chief Minister are in the official capacity. However, the name of the administrative department who will monitor the case and make payment of the cases is not mentioned."
The L-G reportedly asked for legal opinion on Delhi government's demand for Jethmalani representing Kejriwal.
As Arun Jaitley is represented by a battery of lawyers, minister Gopal Rai wrote: "Government of NCT of Delhi is duty bound to provide a good lawyer to the Chief Minister. Hence, it is imperative that the honourable Chief Minister is represented by an eminent senior lawyer. It will therefore be appropriate that shri Ram Jethmalani... is engaged as special counsel to defend Honourable Chief Minister in this very important matter concerning the GNCT of Delhi."
Jaitley had in 2015 filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai over their comments over the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) controversy, seeking their prosecution for offences that entail a punishment of up to two years in jail.
A civil defamation suit has also been filed by Jaitley before the Delhi High Court in relation to the matter seeking Rs 10 crore in damages.
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