SC to hear plea of Delhi CM, Kumar Vishwas in 'criminal case'

The Supreme Court will on Thursday hear a plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aan Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas challenging the summons issued to them by a lower court in connection with a criminal case.

The counsel for AAP leader on Wednesday mentioned the matter for urgent hearing before a bench headed by Justice A.R. Dave, which listed the plea for hearing on Thursday.

During the Lok Sabha elections, an FIR was lodged by the Assistant Election Officer on April 20, 2014, against Kejriwal and Vishwas for allegedly making provocative speeches in Gauriganj area of Amethi district.

The FIR was lodged under sections 143 (punishment for unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 341 (wrongful restraint), 353, 171G (false statement in connection with an election) of the India Penal Code (IPC).

The petitioners had challenged the summons in Allahabad High Court on grounds including that they had all the requisite permissions for a rally and there was no prohibitory order in force at the time of alleged offence.