Setback for Kejriwal in Jaitley defamation case

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, File PTI image

New Delhi: In a major jolt to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a Delhi Court on Saturday put the former on trial in a criminal defamation case filed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) matter. The court has also framed a notice against Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in this case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Dass framed defamation notice against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders. Meanwhile, Kejriwal and other AAP leaders pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The trial in the case will start from May 20. Jaitley had filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders for allegedly defaming him in the Patiala House Court while a civil defamation case was filed in the Delhi High Court. Jaitley had filed the suit seeking Rs. 10 crore in damages after Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders accused him of alleged irregularities and financial bungling in the DDCA, of which Jaitley was the president for about 13 years until 2013.