JOIN USKejri figures in 10 criminal cases related to agitations
Ten criminal cases are pending against chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal, all related to his his days of anti-corruption agitations and the Jan Lokpal movement from 2012 to 2014.
Cognisance has been taken by local courts in seven cases, while charges have been framed in another three cases. Most of the cases are of rioting during protests held in the capital and defamation claimed by political leaders.
Kejriwal was also arrested in May 2014 and taken to Tihar Jail after he refused to post bail in a defamation case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Gadkari.
Kejriwal had refused to pay a bail bond of Rs 10,000. The AAP chief was summoned based on a complaint by Gadkari, who accused him of calling him a chor (thief).
This week, a court is also likely to pronounce its order on framing of charges against Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Yogendra Yadav in a criminal defamation complaint filed by advocate Surender Kumar Sharma in 2013.
Sharma alleged that he was approached by AAP volunteers who had asked him to contest Assembly election in 2013 saying Kejriwal was pleased with his social services.
He filled application form to contest the election after being told by Sisodia and Yadav that AAP’s political affairs committee had decided to give him the ticket. However, it was later denied to him.
Sharma claimed that he had started his political campaign and incurred expenses of about Rs 5 lakh.
Delhi Police had also registered an FIR against AAP protesters who staged a 33-hour demonstration outside Rail Bhavan after Kejriwal became chief minister in 2013.
Kejriwal had led the demonstration demanding control of Delhi Police, who reports to the Centre, transferred to his government.
Kejriwal also has cases with charges of voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty and disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.