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Delhi HC asks Kejriwal to explain ‘thulla’ remark, stays summons
The Delhi high court on Wednesday stayed summons issued by a trial court against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in a criminal defamation case for allegedly making derogatory remarks against a local policemen.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed summons issued by a trial court against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in a criminal defamation case for allegedly making derogatory remarks against a Delhi policeman.
The court asked Kejriwal to explain the meaning of ‘thulla’, allegedly used by him, on the next date of hearing.
“Till the next date (August 21), the petitioner (Kejriwal) is exempted from personal appearance before the trial court,” the court said.
“However, you (Kejriwal) will have to explain to this court what the meaning of the word (thulla) that was allegedly used by you is. So, be ready,” the court said.
The court also issued notice to the complainant, constable Ajay Kumar Taneja, and sought his response on the Delhi chief minister’s plea.
The court’s order and oral observation came during the hearing of the plea by Kejriwal who sought a stay and setting aside of the trial court’s order summoning him as an accused in the case.
Last month, a city court had summoned Kejriwal as an accused in the case.
Taneja, had alleged that he -- a member of the Delhi Police -- had been defamed by Kejriwal, who used the word “thulla” to describe the city’s police.
In the complaint, filed through advocate LN Rao on July 23 last year, the constable claimed that Kejriwal had used the “derogatory” term on a news channel. The Delhi CM was talking about AAP government’s “constraints” in ensuring effective functioning of the anti-corruption branch.
“If a word like ‘thulla’ is used by an eminent personality like chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to refer to the personnel of Delhi Police, then the general public too will have no respect for police personnel,” the complaint said.
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