File photo of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal campaigning in Varanasi for Lok Sabha elections
New Delhi:
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was today directed by a court in the national capital to "positively appear" before it on May 21 in connection with a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.
The court's observation came after Mr Kejriwal, who was summoned today as an accused, did not appear before it on the grounds that he was busy in campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.
"The accused (Kejriwal) is directed to positively appear before the court on May 21," Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha said, while allowing the plea filed by Mr Kejriwal's lawyer seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for Mr Gadkari, opposed the plea filed by Kejriwal's counsel saying the AAP leader should have appeared before the court today.
The court, however, posted the matter for May 21.
The court, on February 28, had summoned Mr Kejriwal as an accused in the criminal defamation complaint observing that statements allegedly made by the AAP leader have the effect of "harming the reputation" of the complainant.
The summon was issued against Mr Kejriwal on a complaint in which Mr Gadkari had alleged that he was defamed by Mr Kejriwal, who had included his name in the party's list of "India's most corrupt".
Former BJP President Mr Gadkari had said that on January 31 this year, Mr Kejriwal had issued a list of alleged "India's most corrupt" in which he had named various politicians, including him.
On January 31, Mr Kejriwal had accused several politicians of being "corrupt" and had said AAP will field candidates against them in coming Lok Sabha polls.
The court's observation came after Mr Kejriwal, who was summoned today as an accused, did not appear before it on the grounds that he was busy in campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.
"The accused (Kejriwal) is directed to positively appear before the court on May 21," Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha said, while allowing the plea filed by Mr Kejriwal's lawyer seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader.
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for Mr Gadkari, opposed the plea filed by Kejriwal's counsel saying the AAP leader should have appeared before the court today.
The court, however, posted the matter for May 21.
The court, on February 28, had summoned Mr Kejriwal as an accused in the criminal defamation complaint observing that statements allegedly made by the AAP leader have the effect of "harming the reputation" of the complainant.
The summon was issued against Mr Kejriwal on a complaint in which Mr Gadkari had alleged that he was defamed by Mr Kejriwal, who had included his name in the party's list of "India's most corrupt".
Former BJP President Mr Gadkari had said that on January 31 this year, Mr Kejriwal had issued a list of alleged "India's most corrupt" in which he had named various politicians, including him.
On January 31, Mr Kejriwal had accused several politicians of being "corrupt" and had said AAP will field candidates against them in coming Lok Sabha polls.
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