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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal acquitted in criminal defamation case filed by former aide of Sheila Dikshit

News Nation Bureau | Edited By : Aniruddha Dhar | Updated on: 05 Nov 2018, 07:47:14 PM
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. (PTI/File)

New Delhi:

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal on Monday acquitted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a criminal defamation case filed by Pawan Khera, a former aide of Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, citing lack of evidence against him.   

The AAP leader was accused by Khera for remarks allegedly made against her by the AAP leader in a television show during power tariff hike protests in October 2012. Khera had alleged that Kejriwal used "false and defamatory" accusations against Dikshit, which also harmed his reputation since he was associated with her.

"The complainant is not a person aggrieved in this case, the words prima facie not defamatory of the complainant and the alleged interview has not been proved as per law. Therefore, this complaint of defamation filed by him is not maintainable," the court said.

The court had framed charges against Kejriwal under Section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code in October 2018. If convicted, the politician could have been sent to a maximum two-year jail term.

In his complaint, Khera had alleged that Kejriwal had defamed him and he spoke the defamatory word with an intention to harm his reputation. Advocate Mohd Irshad, appearing for Kejriwal, had told the court that Khera was not a member of the Congress nor he has disclosed in clear terms his relationship with Dikshit. 

(With PTI inputs)

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First Published : 05 Nov 2018, 03:47:49 PM

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