Kejriwal taken to Tihar Jail, supporters protest

He will remain in the judicial custody till May 23 when the court of metropolitan magistrate Gomati Manocha will take up the case again for hearing.

Several  AAP supporters, who held protests outside the prison, were detained later.

Even party leaders Yogendra Yadav, Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia were among others, who were forcibly removed by Delhi Police from the site.

According to reports, Section 144 on unlawful assembly, which prohibits the gathering of five or more persons, has been imposed in the area.

In the court on Wednesday, Kejriwal said that he would not give a bail bond on principle.

After his refusal to pay the bond, the judge asked him whether he was looking for exceptional treatment.

Gadkari had filed a defamation case before metropolitan magistrate in Delhi in mid-February. He had said that Kejriwal has tarnished his image by calling him corrupt.

"Patiala House Court orders Arvind Kejriwal to be taken into custody in defamation complaint filed against him by Nitin Gadkari," AAP tweeted.

"Earlier today Arvind had refused to file a bond and had instead said that he would be available for all court hearings," the party said.

AAP's Prashant Bhusan said that the party won't file bail bond but give undertaking.

"We have always maintained that we won't file bail bond but give undertaking. Arvind refused to take bail here also - Prashant Bhushan," AAP posted.

"It is not necessary to furnish bail bond. On four earlier occasions, we did not take bail but filed only undertaking," Prashant Bhushan added.

AAP leader Somnath Bharti tweeted: "First victim of acchhe din (good days) @ArvindKejriwal arrested in defamation case by Sri gadkari. Strange manifestation of acchhe din."

A Delhi court on Feb 28 summoned former Kejriwal in a criminal defamation case filed against him by  Nitin Gadkari.

Gadkari had slapped a legal notice on Kejriwal for including his name in the latter's "India's Most Corrupt Politicians" list.