Court asks Kejriwal to appear on Sept 17 on defamation plea

New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal was today directed by a city court to appear beforeit on September 17 when it will consider the issue of framingof notice against him on a criminal defamation complaint filedby BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri. Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh passed thedirection while granting exemption from personal appearance toKejriwal for today after he was told that the CM was unable toattend 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 personalappearance in the matter. "Since he (Kejriwal) is not in India, therefore, theapplication for exemption from personal appearance for the dayis allowed. "Date be fixed for consideration on framing of notice andaccused’s (Kejriwal) application (seeking permanent exemptionfrom appearance in the case)… Kejriwal is directed to appearon the next date. Matter be put up for September 17," it said. During the proceedings, Kejriwal’s plea for personalexemption for the day was opposed by the counsel forcomplainant Bidhuri, who was present in the court. Kejriwal, who was summoned as an accused in the complaintfiled by Bidhuri, was granted bail by the court on July 8after he appeared before it and furnished a personal bond ofRs 10,000. Kejriwal was summoned as accused by the court in Februarythis year on a criminal defamation complaint filed against himby Bidhuri, an MP from South Delhi parliamentary constituency,under section 500 (defamation) of the IPC. Bidhuri had alleged that Kejriwal had defamed him in aninterview to a news channel. He had claimed that during the interview, Kejriwal hadfalsely said that criminal cases were pending against Bidhuriand a Congress leader but the Delhi Police was not takingaction against them. Bidhuri has claimed that no case was pending against himand Kejriwal had defamed him by giving such a statement. PTIUKARC