The Delhi High Court has waived the Rs 1 lakh fine previously imposed on a lawyer who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting proper arrangements for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to run the government from jail. The petitioner also sought to stop the publication of sensational news against Kejriwal.
The lawyer admitted his mistake, prompting the bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora to waive the fine. They noted that the petitioner had accepted his error. As a result, the lawyer is now required to perform community service under the direction of the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DSLSA). Additionally, any future PILs filed by this lawyer must include a copy of both the condonation order and the fine order.
Initially, the court had rejected the petition on May 8 and imposed a Rs 1 lakh fine. The petitioner later submitted an application seeking an apology and requesting that the fine be waived, citing his inexperience in the profession. He acknowledged his mistake, stating that he had gained a better understanding of the law and would not repeat such errors. He also expressed willingness to perform community service. Consequently, the court decided to waive the imposed fine.