Court asks Kejriwal to appear on Sept 17 on defamation plea

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was on Saturday directed by a city court to appear before it on September 17 when it will consider the issue of framing of notice against him on a criminal defamation complaint filed by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri.

Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh passed the direction while granting exemption from personal appearance to Kejriwal for Saturday after he was told that the CM was unable to attend the hearing as he was out of India.

The court would also decide on the next date of hearing, Kejriwal's plea seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance in the matter.

"Since he (Kejriwal) is not in India, therefore, the application for exemption from personal appearance for the dayis allowed.

"Date be fixed for consideration on framing of notice and accused's (Kejriwal) application (seeking permanent exemption from appearance in the case). Kejriwal is directed to appear on the next date. Matter be put up for September 17," it said.

During the proceedings, Kejriwal's plea for personal exemption for the day was opposed by the counsel for complainant Bidhuri, who was present in the court.

Kejriwal, who was summoned as an accused in the complaint filed by Bidhuri, was granted bail by the court on July 8 after he appeared before it and furnished a personal bond of Rs 10,000.

Kejriwal was summoned as accused by the court in February this year on a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by Bidhuri, an MP from South Delhi parliamentary constituency, under section 500 (defamation) of the IPC.

Bidhuri had alleged that Kejriwal had defamed him in an interview to a news channel.

He had claimed that during the interview, Kejriwal had falsely said that criminal cases were pending against Bidhuri and a Congress leader but the Delhi Police was not taking action against them.

Bidhuri has claimed that no case was pending against him and Kejriwal had defamed him by giving such a statement.