Ram Jethmalani offers free services to 'poor' Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani has offered to defend Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for 'free' in a defamation case filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Jethmalani, on Tuesday, stated that he was ready to render his services to the Delhi CM for no charges, after there were reports in media that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wanted the taxpayers to foot the bill of defending Kejriwal.

“Everyone knows that I charge only the rich. If the government can’t pay, I will not charge. I will treat them as my poor client. This matter is instigated by Arun Jaitley,” Jethmalani said. He further stated that if the Delhi CM wins the suit, the cost will go back to the government. "I will defend him till my last breath. If he can’t pay, I will appear for free,” he said.

According to some documents sent by the Delhi government to the Lieutenant Governor, Jethmalani had sent a bill of Rs 3.8 crores including Rs 1 cr as retainer and Rs 22 lakh per appearance to Kejriwal and the AAP wanted to pay the lawyer from the taxpayers’ money.

In a letter to the L-G, the Deputy CM Manish 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'."The statements made by Honourable chief Minister are in the official capacity. The name of the administrative department who will monitor the case and make payment of the cases is not mentioned."

The L-G had reportedly asked for legal opinion on Delhi government's demand for Jethmalani representing Kejriwal.

The case:

• Jaitley had in year 2015 filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Raghav Chadha, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai for their comments over the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) controversy.
• He had seek their prosecution for offences that entail a punishment of up to two years in jail.
• A civil defamation suit had also been filed by Jaitley before the Delhi High Court in relation to the matter seeking Rs 10 crore in damages.