New Delhi: A police complaint was lodged on Sunday against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after he allegedly referred to police by the derogatory term ‘thulla’.

The complaint was lodged in Govindpuri police station in south Delhi.

The complainant, police constable Harvinder, said he was hurt by Kejriwal’s choice of words.

‘I respect Arvind Kejriwal. I didn’t expect such words from him,’ Harvinder told IANS.

Kejriwal had on 17 July used the word ‘thulla’ to describe Delhi policemen in an interview to TV news channel India Today.

‘A case can be lodged by the Anti-Corruption Branch against anyone for being involved in corrupt practices. But these people say you can’t lodge a case against members of the Delhi Police. If a ‘thulla’ of Delhi Police asks a roadside vendor for money, a case should not be registered against him... this is not acceptable,’ Kejriwal said.

Reacting to Kejriwal’s remark, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said he could not believe any person would use such a word.

‘I believe all institutions and instrumentalities of the state must have respect for each other. There can be nation-building only when we have mutual respect for each other. I refuse to believe that the honourable chief minister has said any word of this sort,’ Bassi said.