Arvind Kejriwal, 7 others get relief in 2014 poll rally case
MUMBAI: In a reprieve for Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, a Mumbai court on Friday acquitted him and seven others of the charge of holding a rally without permission during 2014 assembly elections.
Kejriwal arrived in the city on Friday and appeared before the Sewri metropolitan magistrate court for the verdict. The courtroom was packed with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters, who had to be ushered out by the Mumbai police.
In 2014, Mankhurd police had registered the case against Kejriwal, social activist Medha Patkar and former banker Meera Sanyal and five others for holding a rally in the eastern suburbs without permission.
Metropolitan magistrate PK Deshpande acquitted all the accused primarily because the refusal of permission for holding the rally was not communicated to the organisers. He said there was no evidence of promulgation of order and there was also no electronic evidence submitted by the police . The court also pointed out there was a delay in recording statements by the police.
A defence lawyer said the AAP party members had got permission from Mankhurd police station for holding the rally which was to be conducted at 5pm. “However, at 4.30 pm, they were informed that the Trombay traffic division had denied permission to them,” said the lawyer.
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