Jolt to AAP's Satyendar Jain as Delhi court junks plea for food as per 'religious beliefs'

The application alleged that from the day of Satyendar Jain's arrest on May 31, he has not been able to visit a Jain temple, and "being a strict Jain religious observer, he has been on a religious fast and not having cooked food, pulses, grains and milk products".

In a setback for jailed AAP minister Satyendar Jain, a Delhi court on Saturday rejected his application seeking a direction to Tihar jail officials to provide him food items according to his religious beliefs.

CCTV footage from Tihar jail sources showed Delhi minister Satyendar Jain proper food in the jail. (ANI Photo)

Special Judge Vikas Dhull, who had adjourned the matter for Saturday, passed the order.

The application had also sought a direction to the prison officials to immediately conduct the minister's medical check-up. It alleged that Jain was not being provided basic food and medical facilities inside the prison.

The application alleged that from the day of Jain's arrest on May 31, he has not been able to visit a Jain temple, and "being a strict Jain religious observer, he has been on a religious fast and not having cooked food, pulses, grains and milk products". It claimed that he was "a strict adherent of Jainism".

The jail administration denied the allegation and told the court that it was wrong to expect the authorities concerned to give special treatment to an inmate, claiming that it provides a nutritional and balanced diet to all prisoners without any discrimination on caste, creed or religion.

The court had on November 17 denied bail to Jain and two others in the case.

He is accused of having laundered money through four companies allegedly linked to him.

(With inputs from PTI)