Arvind Kejriwal was summoned as an accused by the court in February on a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by Ramesh Bidhuri. (File photo)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was summoned as accused in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by BJP lawmaker Ramesh Bidhuri, was today granted exemption from personal appearance by a court in New Delhi.
Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh granted the relief to Mr Kejriwal after his counsel moved an exemption plea on his behalf, submitting that the chief minister would not be able to attend the proceedings as he was engaged in some government meetings.
The court has now fixed the matter for further hearing on July 8.
Mr Kejriwal was summoned as an accused by the court in February on a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by Mr Bidhuri, a lawmaker from South Delhi parliamentary constituency, under section 500 (defamation) of the IPC.
Mr Bidhuri has alleged in his complaint that Mr Kejriwal had defamed him during an interview to a news channel.
He had alleged that during the interview, Mr Kejriwal had falsely said that criminal cases were pending against Mr Bidhuri and a Congress leader but the Delhi Police was not taking action against them.
Mr Bidhuri claimed that no case was pending against him and Mr Kejriwal had defamed him by giving such statement.