New Delhi, June 4 (IANS): Aam Aadmi Party legislator Prakash Jarwal on Thursday moved the court seeking interim bail to perform the last rites of his father-in-law, who is suspected to have succumbed to COVID-19.

Jarwal is currently lodged in Tihar jail in connection with a case of alleged suicide of a doctor in South Delhi. A 52-year-old doctor had allegedly committed suicide in Durga Vihar in South Delhi on April 18. In his suicide note, he had held Jarwal responsible for taking extreme step.

In his bail application, the legislator stated that his father-in-law had breathing problems from the past two days and expired in LNJP hospital on Wednesday, while he was under treatment.

"As per Hindu rites, the presence of the accused is must at time of cremation of his father in law," he said, requesting the court to let him off on bail.

Jarwal further claimed that there is an apprehension that his wife and eleven month old child may have also contacted coronavirus. The application will be heard today at 3 p.m. by Additional Session Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal.

Jarwal, who represents the Deoli Assembly constituency, was arrested on May 9, after a case of extortion and abetment to suicide was filed against him and others based on a police complaint by the doctor's son.