Court says AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi misused liberty, sent to judicial custody

NEW DELHI: AAP MLA Akhilesh Tripathi misused the liberty of bail and has no respect for court orders, a Delhi court today said while sending him to judicial custody in a 2013 case of rioting and criminal intimidation.

The court ordered that the legislator from Model Town constituency be taken into custody so that his appearance could be secured and the case be tried expeditiously as per the Supreme Court's directions as it relates to a sitting MLA.

"The conduct of accused Akhilesh Tripathi made it clear that he wants to delay the present case and same was mentioned in the last date of hearing also in the order sheet. The conduct of Tripathi makes it clear that he has no concern or respect to the orders of this court and has no respect for the directions of Supreme Court and is not prepare to cooperate with the court. Due to his nonappearance, a public witness has been discharged twice by this court," Metropolitan Magistrate Kapil Kumar said.

"In these circumstances, there is no option for this court but to take accused Akhilesh Tripathi in the judicial custody till next date of hearing so that his appearance could be secured and the present case be tried as per the directions of the Supreme Court," the court said.

The court had on November 23 issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Tripathi, the fifth lawmaker of the ruling party to be arrested, for his non-appearance and he was sent to jail till November 28.

The court said the record revealed that Tripathi misused the liberty given to him by virtue of bail several times and earlier also NBWs were issued against him on October 9.

He was arrested by police but was released on bail afresh by the court considering that he is a sitting MLA and he undertook that he will appear on every date of hearing.

It also noted that the legislator had moved several exemption applications, including he wanted to go to Bihar to attend oath ceremony of chief minister, which were allowed.