New Delhi, Oct 19 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today suffered a setback when the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea to stay a trial court proceedings in a criminal defamation case against him and other AAP leaders filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saying, "it is devoid of merit".

"The request of the petitioner to adjourn the court proceedings before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) is rejected, being devoid of merit and the same is culminated into dismissal of the present petition," Justice P S Teji said.

"Nothing have been brought before this court to the effect that continuation of criminal proceedings is abuse of the process of law before the CMM and any order is required by this court to secure the ends of justice.

"Thus, this court is of the view that the order of the CMM, dated May 19, 2016 continuing with the proceedings is free from perversity, impropriety, illegality and non- sustainability which compelled this court to exercise the inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 Cr PC," the court said.