In a big blow to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a Delhi court today framed notice against him and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in a defamation case filed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Dass framed the defamation notice against Kejriwal and others. Kejriwal and the other accused pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
The trial in the case will commence on May 20.
Jaitley had filed a defamation case against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpai, alleging that they made "false and defamatory" statements in a case involving the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), thereby harming his reputation.
Bajpai could not appear before the court and sought exemption from personal appearance, which was allowed by the court.
However, the other five were present at the hearing. The court also granted exemption to Jaitley.
During the hearing, there were some heated words exchanged between lawyers which disrupted the proceedings for a while.
The hearing was resumed after the court directed those not associated with the case to leave the court room.
