Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail on July 8 in the defamation case. (File)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accused in a criminal defamation complaint filed by BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri, was today granted exemption from personal appearance for the day by a court.
Metropolitan Magistrate Harvinder Singh also granted exemption from personal appearance to Mr Bidhuri for today and posted the matter for hearing on September 3, as both parties were not present.
The judge granted the relief to Mr Kejriwal after his counsel submitted that the chief minister was in Goa to attend some public meetings.
Mr Kejriwal was granted bail by the court on July 8 on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 10,000 after he appeared before the court.
He was summoned as accused by the court in February this year on a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by Mr Bidhuri, an MP from South Delhi parliamentary constituency, under section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Mr Bidhuri had alleged that Mr Kejriwal had defamed him during an interview to a news channel.
He had claimed 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 a statement.