Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was today arrested and sent to Tihar Jail till May 23 by a Delhi court after he refused to furnish bail bond in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.

Gadkari had alleged that he was defamed by Kejriwal, who had included his name in AAP's list of India's most corrupt.

Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha oredered to take him into custody after the former Delhi Chief Minister repeatedly refused to furnish a personal bail bond of 10,000 rupees and a surety of same amount.

After the court pronounced its order, Kejriwal was taken into lock up inside the court premises amid tight security and later taken to Tihar Jail.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party has defended Arvind Kejriwal's stand of not furnishing the bail bond in defamation case.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi, party leader Ashutosh said that his party is fighting against corruption and questioned whether levelling allegations of corruption against someone is a crime. Ashutosh said, AAP will continue fighting against corruption.

On the other hand Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta termed Kejriwal's action as a publicity stunt to gain political mileage. Meanwhile, Delhi Congress leader Haroon Yusuf refused to comment saying, it is a court matter and law will take its course. He said, everyone should respect the legal process.