Setback for Kejriwal- SC refuses stay on defamation proceedings

On October 19 the High Court had rejected Kejriwal's plea following his he preferred an appeal in the Supreme Court.

New Delhi, Nov 28: In a major set back to Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, the Supreme Court today dismissed his plea seeking a stay on criminal proceedings against him in a defamation case filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. With this order, Kejriwal would have to face trial in the defamation case filed against him.

On Monday when the matter came up for hearing, a Bench comprising Justices P C Ghose and U U Lalit were informed that senior counsel Ram Jethmalani would be arguing for Kejriwal. The Bench adjourned hearing to Tuesday.

Kejriwal had first moved the Delhi High Court seeking to stay proceedings against him. On October 19 the High Court had rejected his plea following his he preferred an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The High Court had said that there is no prejudice on account of a pending civil suit and there was no double jeopardy. It had stated that criminal and civil defamation cases were different in nature.

Jaitley had filed a civil defamation suit in the High Court. He had also filed a criminal defamation suit in the lower court alleging that Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders had defamed him the Delhi District Cricket Association matter.

OneIndia News