New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, chief of the Aam Aadmi Party, was on Wednesday arrested and taken to Delhi's Tihar jail after he refused to post bail in a defamation case filed by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. (Delhi court summons Kejriwal in criminal defamation case)
He is likely to remain in jail at least till Friday, when the court hears the case next. (Nitin Gadkari slaps defamation notice on Arvind Kejriwal)
Mr Kejriwal, 45, had refused to pay a bail bond of Rs. 10,000.
Several AAP supporters, who held protests outside the prison, were detained later.
Section 144 on unlawful assembly, which prohibits the gathering of five or more persons, has been imposed in the area.
Senior AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were also among those detained. No case has been registered against them by the police.
The AAP chief was summoned based on a complaint by Mr Gadkari. Mr Kejriwal's party had named the BJP leader in a list of "India's most corrupt" in January.
In a Delhi court, Mr Kejriwal declared that he would not give a bail bond on principle. (Also Read: Single Seat for AAP, But Not A Complete Loss)
"I am ready to go to jail. We are setting precedence. I am not saying that give this treatment only to me. Give it to all," said the anti-corruption campaigner.
The AAP termed the decision of the court to send Mr Kejriwal to jail as an "erroneous" one.
"There is no provision in law which makes it mandatory for a defendant against whom a complaint is filed in a defamation case to furnish a bail bond," the party said in a statement. (Kejriwal Apologises to Delhi For Quitting, 'Sorry Sabhas' Soon)
The Congress and the BJP termed Mr Kejriwal's refusal to furnish the bail bond as a "publicity stunt".
"We condemn his act. We do not have any sympathy for him. The law is equal for everybody," said Delhi Congress' spokesperson Mukesh Sharma.
"The type of politics that he (Kejriwal) is continuously pursuing in this country has been grossly and thoroughly rejected by the people of India and more particularly by the people of the national capital," said BJP leader Harsh Vardhan.
He is likely to remain in jail at least till Friday, when the court hears the case next. (Nitin Gadkari slaps defamation notice on Arvind Kejriwal)
Several AAP supporters, who held protests outside the prison, were detained later.
Advertisement
Senior AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh were also among those detained. No case has been registered against them by the police.
Advertisement
In a Delhi court, Mr Kejriwal declared that he would not give a bail bond on principle. (Also Read: Single Seat for AAP, But Not A Complete Loss)
Advertisement
The AAP termed the decision of the court to send Mr Kejriwal to jail as an "erroneous" one.
Advertisement
The Congress and the BJP termed Mr Kejriwal's refusal to furnish the bail bond as a "publicity stunt".
Advertisement
"The type of politics that he (Kejriwal) is continuously pursuing in this country has been grossly and thoroughly rejected by the people of India and more particularly by the people of the national capital," said BJP leader Harsh Vardhan.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
'INDIA' Is with You Against "Injustice": Rahul Gandhi To Arvind Kejriwal Out On Bail, AAP's Manish Sisodia To Begin 'Padyatras' Across Delhi Today "Freedom Fighters Would Not Have Dreamt...": AAP's Atishi On Arvind Kejriwal Air India Cabin Crew Member Assaulted In Her London Hotel Room "Mamata Banerjee Misleading Public, Should Resign": Nirbhaya's Mother Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies Air India Cabin Crew Member Assaulted In Her London Hotel Room Donald Trump Says He Is "Much Better Looking" Than Rival Kamala Harris World Photography Day: Date, History And Significance Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.