After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a TV interview last year referred Delhi Police personnel as a ‘thulla’, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked him to explain his remarks. The court, despite having granted him a relief from personal appearance till August 21, has asked him to explain the meaning of the word.
“You (Kejriwal) will have to satisfy this court, what is the meaning of the word that was allegedly used by you. So be ready. If you have used this word, you must be knowing the meaning. I have not seen this word at all,”Justice Mukta Gupta asked, adding that he couldn’t find the word in a dictionary, reports PTI.
Kejriwal had made the remarks during a TV interview last year which explaining about his party’s fight against corruption while dealing with Delhi Police officials and union ministers.
Listen to him say it here:
His comments created an uproar with many accusing him of being derogatory towards the police force. Subsequently, constable Ajay Kumar Taneja, posted at Lajpat Nagar police station, filed a criminal defamation case against him. A trial court thus issued summons to him and asked him to appear on July 14, 2016.
However, the High Court has set aside the trial court order which summoned him as an accused. Senior advocate N Hariharan, appearing for the Chief Minister in his defense, said that the word ‘thulla’ was not used against all policemen but against those indulging in wrong practices.
(With inputs from PTI)