Supreme Court puts a stay on defamation proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal

By Newsgram Staff Writer

The Supreme Court on Friday has put a hold on proceedings against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in two defamation cases, initiated by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Surender Sharma.

The apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra while suspending the proceedings issued notice to the Centre on Kejriwal's petition that there should be no criminal action in defamation proceedings.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader in his petition had challenged constitutional validity of Section 499 and 500 of IPC calling defamation an offense punishable for up to two-years in jail.

The petition, filed through advocate Chirag Shroff, stated that penal provision for defamation is unconstitutional as it puts restrictions on freedom of speech. He also said that the provision is being misused.

In February 2014, Union minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari had sued Arvind Kejriwal for linking him to corruption.

Kejriwal had said that the former BJP President, is among "the most corrupt politicians of India.'