DDCA case: CM appears before court, granted bail

A Delhi court on Tuesday rapped Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for non-appearance in a criminal defamation case lodged against him and suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA ) and its V-P Chetan Chauhan.

The DDCA had alleged that the duo had tried to tarnish the image of the cricketing body by allegedly making scandalous remarks.

The court had, on February 18, granted personal exemption to Mr Kejriwal on medical ground, while Mr Azad was granted bail. However, the court had asked Mr Kejriwal to be present before it on Tuesday to hear the arguments on framing of charges against them. But, when Mr Kejriwal did not appear before the court, it slammed him by saying that he had no special right. “Only the L-G and the President have special rights to avoid court proceedings. A CM doesn’t have such special right. Mr Kejriwal should appear before the court today,” the court said.

The counsel, appearing for Mr Kejriwal, had sought his exemption from the hearing, saying a person was eligible for exemption on the ground of inconvenience. But the court rejected their contention. It said that the country was not governed by convenience procedure code.

After being rapped by the court, Mr Kerjwal appeared before it at around 3.30 pm. The court granted him bail and directed him to furnish a bail bond of `10,000. The court has now fixed April 1 as the next date of hearing.

During the hearing, Mr Azad was also not present. It has directed Mr Kejriwal and Mr Azad to be present before it on the next date of hearing.