Arvind Kejriwal taken into judicial custody in Nitin Gadkari defamation case

Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to judicial custody till May 23 after he refused to furnish a bail bond, on Wenesday, in connection with a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.

The court, while passing the order, said that the AAP leader was looking for "some exceptional treatment". The court also ordered the Delhi Police to take Kejriwal into custody and shift him to Tihar jail. 

The order was passed after Kejriwal refused to give an undertaking and furnish a bail bond of Rs 10,000. 

Commenting on the case, Gadkari's lawyer Pinky Anand, stated, "For bail you need to submit bail bond, Kejriwal refused to do so."

Kejriwal appeared before the court on Wednesday and said he was ready to give an undertaking to appear before the court but was not ready to furnish a bail bond, required to secure a bail.

Nitin Gadkari had filed a defamation case against Arvind Kejriwal in February, saying he has tarnished Gadkari's image by calling him corrupt.The complaint was filed before Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha. The court recorded the statement of Gadkari and two other witnesses and posted the matter for Feb 22 for further hearing.