Constable examined in defamation case against Kejriwal

A court here on Monday recorded the statement of a police constable as a witness in a defamation case filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for using "thulla" to describe policemen in the national capital.

Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Kumar recorded the statement of constable Ajay Kumar Taneja, from Lajpat Nagar police station in south Delhi.

Taneja in his complaint has sought action against Kejriwal, claiming that he has been "hurt" by the remark and felt "insulted and defamed" as a policeman.

The court on Monday posted the matter for December 2 to record the statements of other complainant witnesses in the case.

In his complaint, Taneja has said Kejriwal is liable for prosecution for having committed offences punishable under sections 500 and 504 (insult intended to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code during an interview given to a news channel.

This is the second complaint filed by a Delhi Police constable on the issue. The first one was filed by constable Harvinder, posted at Govindpuri police station in south Delhi.

"If a word like 'thulla' is used by an eminent personality like Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to refer to personnel of Delhi Police, the general public would have no respect or regard for police personnel who dedicate their entire lives to maintain law and order in the capital," the complainant said in his plea.

"Due to the acute agony and hurt caused by the attitude of Kejriwal towards Delhi Police, the complainant was unable to concentrate on his job as he was very much disturbed," it added.