Kejriwal Skips Sonipat Court Hearing Over Yamuna Poisoning Claims

The case roots down to Arvind Kejriwal's pre-election statement which claimed that Haryana government had poisoned Yamuna river's water. He made this statement on January 28, 2025 which caused panic among villagers near the river. The villagers then confronted the irrigation department officials with their concern about the safety of people and animals. 

Legal Proceedings

The irrigation department's Executive Engineer Ashish Kaushik filed a petition after villagers showed up at his office citing a viral video of Kejriwal's statement. The court, under Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Goyal, issued a notice under BNS Section 223. Kejriwal's lawyers appeared in court, requesting evidence which was subsequently provided via pendrive. 

Multiple Legal Challenges

This isn't the only legal challenge Kejriwal faces over these statements. A FIR has been registered in Kurukshetra's Shahabad Police station. The case is filed under sections 192, 196, 197, 248-A and 299. Other complaints have been filed regarding these statements on holy river Yamuna on the ground of inflaming religious sentiments. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini has also threatened AAP 's chief Kejriwal on filing defamation case over his statements. 

The incident escalated when CM Nayab Saini publicly drank Yamuna water to disprove Kejriwal's claims, leading to further exchanges between the leaders. Saini demanded an immediate apology to the people of both Delhi and Haryana, emphasizing the river's sacred status in Haryana.