Protest outside CM's residence: Kejriwal, others granted bail

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court today granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Kumar Vishwas, who along with others had staged a protest in December 2012 outside the residence of then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, after they furnished personal bond to secure their release.

Metropolitan Magistrate Dheeraj Mittal granted bail to Kejriwal, Vishwas and Wasim, who along with AAP leader Manish Sisodia, were chargesheeted by Delhi Police for the offences punishable under sections 188 (disobedience to an order law fully promulgated by a public servant), 341 (wrongfully restraining any person) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC.

Kejriwal, Vishwas and Wasim today appeared before the court while the magistrate allowed the plea filed by Sisodia's counsel seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day for his client. The court granted bail to the three accused on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 each.

In its charge sheet, the police has alleged that these four accused, along with their supporters, had staged a protest and were shouting slogans outside Dikshit's residence on December 7, 2012.

The police alleged that the accused were protesting against demolition in some of the areas in Delhi despite the fact that they were told staging protest there was prohibited under section 144 of the CrPC.

It alleged that these accused had violated prohibitory orders and had staged protest on a public path. During the hearing, the copy of the charge sheet and other documents filed along with it were supplied to the accused and the court has now fixed the matter for further hearing on September 20.