BJP's Gadkari filed a defamation case against Kejriwal after the AAP leader released a list of 'India's most corrupt' people which included Gadkari's name.
NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has been sent sent to judicial custody till May 23 after he refused to furnish a personal bail bond of Rs 10,000 in connection with a defamation case filed against him by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.
A Delhi metropolitan court Wednesday ordered former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to be taken into judicial custody.
Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha fixed Friday as the next date of hearing. Manocha had asked him to furnish a bail bond of Rs.10,000 but the Aam Aadmi Party leader refused.
He has been sent to the Tihar jail.
Protests erupted here against a court's decision as angry AAP supporters of Kejriwal were seen shouting slogans, saying they were with Kejriwal in his fight against corruption.
Appearing before the court, Kejriwal told the judge that he would not furnish a bail bond in the case as it is of a political nature. Instead, he said he would give an undertaking to appear before the court at every hearing.
"I am fighting against corruption. I will not seek bail as I have not done anything wrong," the Aam Aadmi Party chief told metropolitan magistrate Gomati Manocha.
Kejriwal was summoned by the court for describing Gadkari as a "corrupt" person.
The anti-graft crusader's counsel told the court that in earlier defamation cases against him, Kejriwal was granted bail on the undertaking that he would appear before the court at every hearing.
The counsel added that Kejriwal would not flee from justice.
"I completely agree but what is the problem with furnishing bail bond," the court said. it added that furnishing a bail bond is a process of law and told Kejriwal that he was seeking different treatment.
Kejriwal responded by saying that it was a case of a political nature and he would not furnish a bail bond.
"You are representing the Aam Aadmi Party. I request you to behave as aam aadmi (common man)," the court said.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gadkari's lawyer opposed Kejriwal's plea.
Gadkari's complaint said on January 31 Kejriwal released a list of "India's most corrupt" people and it included Gadkari's name.
Gadkari has told the court that "false, baseless, scandalous, defamatory statements" by Kejriwal against him had lowered his dignity.
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