Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted exemption from personal appearance for Saturday by a court here in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by DDCA and cricketer-turned-politician Chetan Chauhan.
Metropolitan Magistrate Abhilash Malhotra took note of the plea filed by Kejriwal's lawyer V K Ohri that the chief minister was unable to appear due to constitutional duties and granted him exemption only for Saturday.
The AAP leader's plea was opposed by advocate Sangram Patnaik, appearing for Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and Chauhan, the UP Sports Minister who was also present. The opposition to the plea was recorded by the court.
The court has now fixed the matter for July 15 when it will hear the applications of the accused- Kejriwal and BJP MP Kirti Azad, who was present in the courtroom on Saturday - seeking dropping of proceedings against them.
While posting the matter for hearing after summer vacation, the court also considered the submission that High Court-appointed DDCA administrator Justice (Retired) Vikramajit Sen has sought six weeks time to peruse the file.
On the last hearing, Kejriwal was granted bail after he appeared before the court which insisted on his presence.
Azad, too, is out on bail in the matter.