NEW DELHI, Oct 22:
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s political secretary Pawan Khera today sent a legal notice to India Against Corruption (IAC) leader Arvind Kejriwal for defamation.
Mr Khera sent the notice accusing Mr Kejriwal of using ‘foul and filthy language’ while making ‘baseless allegations’ against the Chief Minister and her associates, and asked for an unconditional public apology.
The social activist-turned-politician has been asked to reply within two days.
Mr Khera in the notice alleged that Mr Kejriwal had allegedly used word ‘Dalal (middleman)’ for the Chief Minister on a TV talk show recently.
In the notice, Mr Khera demanded the IAC leader to immediately withdraw all the allegations and aspersions made by him against Ms Dikshit.
“In case of failure to comply with this notice within a period of two days of receipt of this legal notice, you shall render yourselves jointly and severally liable to face appropriate civil as well as criminal proceedings under the relevant provisions of law at your risk as to cost and consequences,” the notice said.
Mr Khera alleged that the earlier campaign of the IAC leader to ‘defame’ the Chief Minister continues without any logical cause and only with the ‘intent to gain publicity by unnecessarily sensationalising baseless allegations which were evidently politically motivated.’
Mr Khera said Mr Kejriwal, who launched a new political party on October 2, was seeking to garner instant public support through ‘dishonest shorcuts.’
Mr Kejriwal said he was not afraid of legal notice sent by the Delhi CM and he will continue to raise the issues related to the people.
“I have come to know that the Delhi Chief Minister has sent a legal notice to me. But I am not afraid of any notice,” he said addressing a dharna outside the office of BSES.
“Yes we are maligning your government and will continue to do so till your government and your party are involved in corruption,” Mr Kejriwal added.
He further said it was “corruption which was maligning the Delhi government.”
“I am to address the labourers of five electric companies in Delhi at 12 today. Police deny them permission for tent and stage last nite. The program will still happen. Let them do their dharma.
We’ll do our dharma. Police had been intimated almost 10 days back. They deny permission at the last moment. Congress rattled?” he tweeted in the morning.
He said the labourers have right to protest for their demands.
The IAC leader added that he will visit every Assembly constituency, ward and street of the capital and raise the issue of hike in water and electricity bills.
Mr Kejriwal had earlier held protests against rising electricity bills by burning bills and restoring electricity connections.