Jain made this argument during the hearing of his application. He has alleged in the application that the Tihar Jail administration had stopped serving him food permitted as per law during his religious fast.
He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. The case is based on an FIR lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against him in 2017 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Jain’s lawyer Rahul Mehra, while reading out the rules related to religious fasting inside the jail, told Special Judge Vikas Dhull, “At least as of now, our country is not one where we are told how to follow a religion.” Who is the government to tell about its implementation. My religion is my own religion.
During the arguments, Mehra accused the authorities of being narrow minded. He said, “The state should have a big heart, not a narrow mindedness. They can provide the prescribed four almonds and fruits and vegetables. ,
The court heard the arguments and reserved its order on Jain’s application for Friday.
Meanwhile, the court allowed Mehra to withdraw the application filed to stop the media from allegedly showing the CCTV footage of Jain’s cell in the jail. In fact, the defense counsel said, “We will approach the High Court.” ,
A fresh controversy erupted after videos of Jain purportedly eating vegetables and fruits in Tihar Jail surfaced and Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi alleged that Jain was enjoying facilities like a holiday resort.
The video surfaced after he moved the court alleging that he was not being provided uncooked food as per his religious beliefs. In an interim order, the court on Wednesday asked the jail authorities to provide food to Jain during his religious fast as per rules.
During the hearing on Jain’s application on Thursday, Mehra told the court that he had not received proper food on Wednesday evening despite the judge’s direction.
Mehra said that by showing the CCTV camera footage, the jail authorities are trying to create pressure so that the court does not pass the order.
He said, “Please ask him. Is there a beauty parlor inside the jail? Ask the officer. He is here. Can one get a massage in prison? I had surgery. I was advised to undergo physiotherapy.
The alleged videos are being told of 1 October and 13 September.
Source: navbharattimes.indiatimes.com”