Arvind Kejriwal, others acquitted in 2014 Mumbai AAP rally case

Delhi chief minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and others, including activist Medha Patkar and Meera Sanyal, were booked for allegedly holding a rally without prior permission from police.

A court in Mumbai on Friday acquitted Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and seven others for allegedly holding a political rally without requisite police permission in the run up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

In March 2014, a complaint was lodged against Arvind Kejriwal and others at suburban Mankhurd police station. (AP)

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Kejriwal and others, including activist Medha Patkar and Meera Sanyal, were booked under various provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act pertaining to holding public rallies without prior permission from police.

Metropolitan magistrate PK Deshpande, while acquitting Kejriwal and the others, on Friday observed that police had failed to give the accused persons a written statement refusing them permission for the rally.

The rally in Mankhurd, in northeast Mumbai, was held as part of the poll campaign of AAP candidates Meera Sanyal and Medha Patkar. Mumbai Police had claimed it was “unscheduled” and held without prior requisite permissions from the traffic police.

In March 2014, a complaint was lodged against Kejriwal and the others at suburban Mankhurd police station.

While Kejriwal, Sanyal and the other accused were present in the court Friday, Patkar was absent.