Man who hurled shoe at Kejriwal denied bail, sent to 14 days jail

A court here on Monday dismissed the bail plea of a man who hurled a shoe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while he was addressing a press conference last week and sent him to 14 days judicial custody.

Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra dismissed the bail plea of Ved Prakash, observing there should be deterrent punishment so that people do not dare to commit such acts.

Ved Prakash of the Aam Aadmi Sena threw the shoe at Kejriwal, alleging fake CNG stickers were being distributed in Delhi ahead of the odd-even scheme but missed. He said he had video evidence of the "scam". Cars running on CNG are exempt from the scheme.

He said he was angry with Kejriwal for not taking action against those involved in alleged irregularities and that was the reason he hurled the shoe.

He was produced before the court after expiry of one-day judicial custody.

Passing order on bail application, the court said: "One may have difference of opinion with someone but one needs to respect the constitutional authority.... The chief minister was elected by the people. I express my displeasure over the act. A strong deterrent is needed for such acts.

Apart from the chief minister's office, there are other authorities also to hear your grievances. Instead of taking such a blatant step, you should have approached the other authorities."

Police opposed the plea saying there was evidence to show that the shoe was thrown on the chief minister and Prakash should have approached proper authorities with his grievances.