New Delhi, Jun 30 (IANS): The Delhi High Court on Tuesday was informed by Tihar Jail authorities that all efforts will be made to provide a facility of 30 minutes of legal interview via video conferencing for Natasha Narwal, who is currently in judicial custody in a case relating to northeast Delhi riots and headphones would also be provided for compliance of Rule 627 of the Delhi Prison Rules.

According to the said rule, every interview between an undertrial prisoner and his or her legal adviser shall take place within sight, but out of hearing, of a prison official. Further, the jail manual allows an accused to have 10 minutes of legal interview with his/ her counsel twice a week.

The submissions were made by Delhi government senior standing counsel (Criminal) Rahul Mehra , who was appearing for the Tihar Jail, in a plea filed by Pinjra Tod activist Narwal seeking seeking a direction to the Tihar Jail authorities to allow her access to her counsel by way of video conferencing.

Advocates Adit S Pujari, Kunal Negi and Chaitanya Sundriyal represented the petitioner.

Earlier, Narwal had contended before the court that the jail officials were privy to the conversation between Narwal and her counsel.

It was also submitted by her counsel Adit S Pujari before the court that since she is accused in more than one FIR, the general interview of 10 minutes twice a week isn't sufficient to take instructions.

Replying to the prayers and arguments of the petitioner, Mehra submitted that the facility of screen sharing will also be provided to her during the interview for viewing of the documents and the prison officials will be within the sight but they would maintain such a distance that the conversation is not audible.

Following this, the court disposed off the matter noting that the petitioner is satisfied with the submissions of the Tihar Jail. "This court appreciates the proactive approach of Mr Mehra as the Delhi Government Senior Standing Counsel," the bench said while disposing of the matter.

In its chargesheet, the Delhi Police have alleged that both Natasha and another Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita were actively involved in hatching the conspiracy to cause riots near Jafrabad Metro Station in Delhi.

"They were also part of a larger conspiracy and were found to be connected to the ‘India Against Hate' group and Umar Khalid. The message, found in the phone of an accused, on Whatsapp chat, reveals the conspiracy and the extent of preparation for causing riots," the statement by the police added.