New Delhi [India]: The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking to be discharged from the case registered against him in 2014 in Uttar Pradesh during the election campaign.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and JB Pardiwala adjourned the plea for the last week of September after counsel appearing for Kejriwal sought two weeks adjournment to file a rejoinder to the State government’s counter-affidavit.
Earlier, the apex court had stayed the trial court’s proceedings and also issued notice on Kejriwal’s petition.
During the election campaign in 2014, Kejriwal had allegedly said that those who believe in ‘Khuda’ won’t be pardoned by ‘Khuda’ if they vote for BJP”.
Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order which had rejected his plea for discharge from the case.
The High Court while dismissing Kejriwal’s plea had said that it appeared that Kejriwal was threatening the voters in the name of ‘Khuda’ knowing fully well that if he used the term ‘Khuda’, some set of voters belonging to different religions might have severely been influenced.
Earlier Sultanpur Court had dismissed his discharge application.
During the earlier hearing, the top court bench had expressed disapproval of the statement made by Kejriwal saying, “Why are you bringing God? In a secular country, leave God alone. God doesn’t need anyone’s protection, he can take care of himself.”
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Kejriwal had then said, “Sometimes during political campaigning, unintentional things are said.”
