Court to pronounce order on framing charges against Kejriwal

A Delhi court is likely to pronounce its order on framing of charges against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and two other AAP leaders tomorrow in a criminal defamation complaint filed against them by an advocate.

Metropolitan Magistrate Muneesh Garg had earlier reserved the order for February 11 on framing of charges against Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Yogendra Yadav, who were released on bail after they had appeared in the court on June 4 last year in pursuance to summons against them.

The summons were issued on the complaint of advocate Surender Kumar Sharma under sections 499, 500 (defamation) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC, with the court saying there was prima facie material to summon the accused.

"The press release published in newspapers as well as testimonies of witnesses reflect that defamatory remarks were published in the newspaper which affected the reputation of the complainant in the society and lowered his reputation in the eyes of other members of the society," the court had said.

However, the court had rejected the complainant's plea that AAP leaders had conspired and cheated him, saying in the absence of the very element of deception, there was no prima facie material against any of the accused for the offence of cheating and criminal conspiracy.

Sharma had alleged that in 2013 he was approached by volunteers of AAP who had asked him to contest Delhi Assembly election on a party ticket saying Kejriwal was pleased with his social services.

He filled up the application form to contest the polls after being told by Sisodia and Yadav that AAP's Political Affairs Committee of the party had decided to give him the ticket. However, it was later denied to him.

On October 14, 2013, the complainant claimed that articles in leading newspapers carried "defamatory, unlawful and derogatory words used by the accused persons" which have lowered his reputation in the Bar and the society.

Sharma, in his complaint said, the articles had also stated that AAP had decided to replace its candidate from the Shahdara Constituency.

The newspapers also quoted a party statement saying it was found that there were criminal cases and FIRs pending against its candidate (complainant) and he had failed to mention these in his application, the complaint said.

Sharma also claimed that he had started his political campaign and had already incurred expenses of about Rs five lakh on it.

While summoning Kejriwal, Sisodia and Yadav, the court had said considering the testimonies of witnesses, the press release issued by the accused persons in the newspaper, it was of the considered view that there was prima facie material to summon the accused persons.