AAP’s Kejriwal refuses to seek bail in Dikshit defamation case

Aam Admi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday refused to seek bail in a defamation case filed against him by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's political secretary Pawan Khera for alleged "derogatory remarks" against Dikshit during the power tariff hike protests last year.

Pursuing his defiant stance, Kejriwal also refused to furnish a personal or surety bond, saying he had been following the same principle in other cases lodged against him.

Nonetheless, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Bansal virtually set him at liberty, on an undertaking that he would appear in court on every date of hearing. The next hearing was fixed for 17 August.

Dikshit's political secretary Pawan Khera had filed a defamation case against Kejriwal for making allegedly "derogatory remarks" and "baseless" allegations against her last year during the protests.

Khera accused Kejriwal of using "false and filthy" language against Dikshit in a television show.

Kejriwal told the court that he did not want bail and he was ready to face the consequences. He added that giving a surety would imply there was a chance he might flee, which was not the case.

The judge said, "This issue regarding bail will be decided on the next date of hearing. Let the accused put his signature on the order sheet and submit that he will appear on every hearing. This will be taken as his undertaking. It will be valid till the next date of hearing only."

Kejriwal earlier opposed the complaint saying it had been filed by Khera, and not by Dikshit. He had admitted to the allegations levelled against him but said if the chief minister felt defamed, she should have filed the case herself.