Arvind Kejriwal summoned for ‘thulla’ remark

A Delhi court on Saturday summoned Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as an accused in connection with a criminal defamation case lodged against him by a Delhi police constable for his alleged “thulla” remark, a slang to refer to policemen.

Metropolitan magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey said there were prima facie that Mr Kejriwal had committed the offence. The court then summoned Mr Kejriwal to appear before it as an accused and posted the matter for July 14.

The criminal defamation case has been lodged against Mr Kejriwal by Delhi police constable Ajay Kumar Taneja through his counsel L.N. Rao. Mr Taneja in his complaint has said that he was mentally disturbed and was feeling insulted and defamed by Mr Kejriwal’s remark. Mr Taneja has said that while talking on a TV channel, Mr Kejriwal deliberately called the policemen “thulla.”

“We dedicate our entire life to the service of the nation. A policeman maintains law and order and if he is called with derogatory remark, it will affect his efficiency,” Mr Taneja said.

He said that he had tried to contact Mr Kejriwal and made several calls at his residence and on Delhi government’s helpline but could not get a positive response. Mr Tanjea has said that being the Delhi chief minister, Mr Keriwal should have not made such a speech against the police department. “We are losing respect in the eyes of the people. How will we work Policemen too need respect while performing their duty. No one has right to call any policeman thulla,” Taneja had said.