SC dismisses Kejriwal plea for stay on Jaitley's defamation case

The court said it would not interfere with the Delhi High Court judgment in the case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea seeking a stay on trial court proceedings in the criminal defamation case filed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

The apex court said a judgment in civil proceedings is not binding on criminal case. The court added that it would not interfere with the Delhi High Court judgment.

Jaitley had filed a suit seeking Rs 10 crore in damages after Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders accused him of alleged irregularities and financial bungling in Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), of which Jaitley was the president for about 13 years until 2013.

Jaitley had filed a criminal defamation case against Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders in the Patiala House Court, while a civil defamation case was filed in the Delhi High Court.

Kejriwal had earlier contended before the apex court that the proceedings before a trial court should be stayed since a civil suit was already pending before the Delhi High Court and both could not proceed simultaneously.