'Thulla' remark: Court to record pre-summoning evidence against Kejriwal
New Delhi: A court in Delhi fixed September 10 for recording of pre-summoning evidence in a criminal defamation complaint by a Delhi Police constable against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for using a slang "thulla" to describe policemen.
Metropolitan Magistrate Anu Aggarwal, while fixing the next date on the complaint filed by constable Harvinder posted at Govind Puri police station here, summoned the Station House Officer and a head constable as complainant witnesses for recording their statements.
"I have gone through the authorities cited by the counsel for the complainant. Even otherwise in the interest of justice I deem it fit to grant opportunity to the complainant to substantiate the averments made in the complaint by leading appropriate evidence. List for the purpose of evidence on September 10, 2015. Witness 2, SHO of Govindpuri police station, with the original complaint and witness 3, Head Constable, be also summoned for the next date of hearing" the magistrate said. The court fixed the matter for recording pre-summoning evidence after hearing arguments of the complainant's counsel.
The court had on July 24 sought a clarification from the constable as to how Kejriwal's alleged 'thulla' remark given during a recent interview has provoked breach of peace.
Advocate L N Rao, who appeared for complainant constable Harvinder, had argued before the court that due to Kejriwal's 'thulla' remark, the entire Delhi Police was demoralised.
"Using a derogatory and demeaning term like 'thulla' to refer to police personnel is equivalent to referring to all Delhi Police officials as lethargic and unproductive. This word has, therefore, harmed the reputation of the complainant in the eyes of general public including his family, relative and friends," the complaint said.
The complaint claimed that the 'thulla' remark given by a person of the stature of chief minister has demoralised Delhi Police and it was intended to provoke breach of peace." The counsel had alleged that Kejriwal has intentionally insulted the entire police force and caused unnecessary provocation and resentment among the policemen in Delhi. The constable had on July 22 filed a complaint in which he had claimed that he was insulted by Kejriwal's remark.
The complainant has sought the court to summon Kejriwal for the alleged offence under section 500 (defamation) and 504 (insult intended to provoke breach of peace) of IPC.
In his recent interview to a TV news channel, Kejriwal had talked about AAP government's "constraints" in ensuring effective functioning of the Anti-Corruption Branch. Police Commissioner B S Bassi had also hinted his displeasure over the use of word 'thulla' by Kejriwal.
Another defamation complaint was lodged against Kejriwal on July 23 by a constable posted at Lajpat Nagar police station who had claimed that he was mentally disturbed and felt very insulted and defamed by Kejriwal's remark. He had also claimed to have lodged a complaint at Lajpat Nagar police station under section 500 (defamation) of IPC.
