New Delhi, July 24 (IANS): A court here on Friday fixed July 31 to hear a defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for using the derogatory word "thulla" for Delhi Police personnel.

Metropolitan Magistrate Anu Aggarwal has asked the complainant, constable Harvinder, posted at Govindpuri police station in south Delhi, to file clarification regarding how the chief minister's remark, made during a recent interview to a news channel, has provoked breach of peace.

The court has posted the matter for July 31.

The court was hearing a private complaint filed by Harvinder, who has alleged that Kejriwal's remark has harmed the reputation of the complainant in the eyes of general public, including his family, relatives and friends.

The complaint filed by advocate L. N. Rao claimed that "the 'thulla' remark given by a person of the stature of chief minister has demoralised Delhi Police and it was intended to provoking breach of peace."

"...Using a derogatory and demeaning term like 'thulla' to refer to police personnel is equivalent to referring to all Delhi Police officials as lethargic and unproductive," the complaint said in his plea and has requested the court to summon Kejriwal for the alleged offence under Section 500 (defamation) and 504 (insult intended to provoke breach of peace) of the Indian Penal Code.

"Being in a constitutional position as chief minister of Delhi, the capital of India, Arvind Kejriwal has immense influence and reach across the public space and his words impact the public view of Delhi Police," the constable said.