High court to Kejriwal: Explain the word ‘ thulla’
Taking a stern view of the “thulla” remark by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi high court has asked the chief minister to explain the meaning of the word he allegedly used while referring to policemen, as it stayed a trial court order summoning Mr Kejriwal in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by a constable.
The court directed Mr Kejriwal to give an adequate explanation for using the slang word.
Justice Mukta Gupta granted the relief to Mr Kejriwal till August 21 on his plea seeking stay on the summons issued to him by a trial court for his appearance on July 14, which prima facie found that he had committed the offence.
“Till the next date ( August 21) the petitioner ( Kejriwal) is exempted from personal appearance before the trial court,” the court said.
However, “you ( Kejriwal) will have to satisfy this court what is the meaning of the word that was allegedly used by you. So be ready,” Justice Gutpa said.
The word used by Mr Kejriwal was a Hindi word and the court wanted to know its meaning as it does not exist in the dictionary. “If you have used this word, you must be knowing the meaning. I have not seen this word at all,” the judge observed.
The court also issued notice to the complainant, constable Ajay Kumar Taneja, and sought his response on the Delhi chief minister’s plea.
The court’s order and observation came during the hearing of the plea by Mr Kejriwal who had sought stay and setting aside of the trial court’s order summoning him as an accused in the case.
Senior advocate N. Hariharan, appearing for the chief minister, submitted that the word “thulla” was not used against all policemen, but against those indulging in wrong practices.