New Delhi: Noted lawyer Ram Jethmalani today offered to defend Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal free of cost in court if he is not able to pay for it, after the Delhi Government sought Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal’s approval to foot the Bill. Mr Jethmalani is representing Mr Kejriwal in court in a 2015 case of defemation filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for making allegedly unsubstantiated charges of corruption against him.
‘I will certainly defend him even if he can’t pay, but he said no I want to pay, send us the bill, so I have sent the bills,’ Mr Jethmalani said. Describing Mr Kerjriwal as ”clean force”, he said if it was incumbent on him to support him and his livelihood, he would support him. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had, in December last year, reportedly asked for the release of the lawyer’s fee to Mr Jethmalani, but the Law Department refused saying the LG permission had to be sought for it. According to reports, the lawyer has sent bills for Rs 1 crore in retainership and Rs 22 lakh for each appearance in court to Mr Kejriwal.
The AAP wanted the government to pay the bill. The ruling BJP at the Centre today said it was the case of an individual, so Mr Kejriwal, being responsible for what he said against Mr Jaitley, should foot the bill for the lawyer defending him.
