Jaitley defamation case: Trial against Delhi CM Kejriwal, 5 AAP leaders to begin today

Trail will begin in a case of criminal defamation filed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley against Arvind Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders for allegedly making defamatory allegations against him regarding his tenure as DDCA chief.

A Delhi court will on Saturday start trial against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and five other party leaders on charges of criminal defamation. The case was filed by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley

The criminal defamation complaint was filed in December 2015 by Jaitley. In his complaint, the Union minister alleged that Kejriwal and five AAP leaders made defaming statements against him regarding his tenure as the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) president from December 1999 to December 2013. (PTI FILE)

The Delhi CM is already facing trial in civil defamation cases.

In March, the court framed notices against Arvind Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpai.

The criminal defamation complaint was filed in December 2015 by Jaitley. In his complaint, the Union minister alleged that Kejriwal and five AAP leaders made defaming statements against him regarding his tenure as the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) president from December 1999 to December 2013.

If convicted, the CM could be sent behind bars for at least a year along with fine.

Besides this case, Jaitley has also filed a civil defamation suit before the Delhi High Court seeking Rs 10 crore in damages from Kejriwal and the five for issuing allegedly false and defamatory statements against him and his family in connection with alleged irregularities in DDCA when he was its president.

The Delhi CM’s troubles are not just related to court. Kejriwal and his colleagues are facing multiple probes from the Delhi Police, CBI, Income Tax, Punjab Police and the Election Commission. The Delhi government’s own anti-corruption branch is investigating alleged graft charges against them.

The party’s troubles are not just external but related to rifts and rebellion within the party.

Sacked water minister Kapil Mishra has accused Kejriwal of corruption accusing him of giving health minister Satyendar Jain Rs 2 crore. Mishra has also filed a complaint with the CBI asking agency to probe the source of the cash. The party has termed the allegations ridiculous.

Another headache for CM Kejriwal apart from the court and police cases could be the pending verdict in an office-of-profit case related to his 21 MLAs. An adverse verdict by the Election Commission could reduce his party’s tally in the Delhi assembly and threats of another rebellion within the party.