New Delhi, 29 August : The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing of an FIR registered against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his election campaign in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in 2014. The next hearing in the case will be after four weeks.
During today’s hearing, Kejriwal’s counsel sought more time to file a reply to the Uttar Pradesh government’s affidavit, following which the court adjourned the hearing for four weeks. On February 17, the court stayed the proceedings of the trial court. During the hearing, a bench headed by Justice KM Joseph took exception to Kejriwal’s statement during the 2014 election campaign that God would not forgive those who believed in God if they voted for the BJP. Will do
Kejriwal had filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court to quash the FIR. In January, the High Court dismissed Kejriwal’s petition. Before going to the High Court, Kejriwal had filed an application for acquittal in the trial court of Sultanpur, which was rejected by the trial court.
An FIR was lodged against Kejriwal under Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act in 2014 for violating the model code of conduct in Sultanpur. Kejriwal is alleged to have allegedly said that whoever votes for the Congress, I believe, will betray the country. The one who votes for the BJP—even God will not forgive him—will betray the country. On September 6, 2014, the trial court took cognizance of the matter and issued summons to Kejriwal.
