Setback for CM Kejriwal: Delhi HC rejects plea to dismiss BJP defamation case over ’Baniya, Muslim names removed’ remark

The Delhi High Court refused to quash defamation proceedings against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders over alleged voter deletion remarks, directing them to appear before the trial court on October 3.

Livemint
Published2 Sep 2024, 05:17 PM IST
BJP leader Rajeev Babbar had sought action against AAP leaders, CM Arvind Kejriwal for 'harming' the reputation of the BJP by blaming it for the deletion of the names of voters from electoral rolls
BJP leader Rajeev Babbar had sought action against AAP leaders, CM Arvind Kejriwal for ’harming’ the reputation of the BJP by blaming it for the deletion of the names of voters from electoral rolls

On Monday, the Delhi High Court rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bid to quash the defamation case filed against him and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. The case centers around remarks allegedly made by Delhi CM Kejriwal and other AAP leaders about the alleged deletion of 30 lakh voters' names from the electoral rolls in Delhi.

Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta dismissed the AAP leaders’ plea challenging the defamation proceedings, which were originally upheld by a sessions court following a magisterial court's decision to summon them.

Also Read | ED arrests AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan from his residence in Delhi’s Okhla

The high court, which had previously stayed the proceedings on February 28, 2020, has now vacated the interim order, directing the parties to appear before the trial court on October 3.

The high court, while pronouncing its order, said the summoning order of the trial court does not call for any interference.

The AAP leaders had sought the quashing of the magisterial court's March 15, 2019 and sessions court's January 28, 2020 orders.

Also Read | Delhi excise scam case: SC grants bail to former AAP media incharge Vijay Nair

What is AAP, Arvind Kejriwal accused of?

The defamation complaint was brought forward by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar, who alleged that Arvind Kejriwal and three other AAP leaders—former Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Gupta, and party leaders Manoj Kumar and Atishi—made damaging statements during a December 2018 press conference.

According to Babbar, the AAP leaders accused the BJP of orchestrating the alleged removal of 30 lakh voters' names from the electoral rolls, particularly targeting individuals from ‘Baniya, Poorvanchali, and Muslim communities’.

Babbar’s complaint asserts that these allegations were intended to harm the BJP’s reputation.

Also Read | AAP accuses BJP of kidnapping its councillor who switched party 3 days ago

What AAP said?

The AAP leaders, in their plea, contended that the trial court and the sessions court had misinterpreted the facts and that no defamation had occurred. They argued that the statements in question did not specifically target Babbar or his party.

Despite these arguments, the Delhi High Court concluded that the trial court's summoning order did not warrant any interference, effectively allowing the defamation proceedings to continue.

Catch all the Business News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.

MoreLess
First Published:2 Sep 2024, 05:17 PM IST
Business NewsNewsIndiaSetback for CM Kejriwal: Delhi HC rejects plea to dismiss BJP defamation case over ’Baniya, Muslim names removed’ remark

Get Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!

  • Employment Type

    Most Active Stocks

    HDFC Bank share price

    1,682.15
    03:59 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    -44 (-2.55%)

    Reliance Industries share price

    2,815.25
    03:58 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    -114.55 (-3.91%)

    Tata Steel share price

    166.95
    03:59 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    -0.05 (-0.03%)

    Tata Motors share price

    926.00
    03:59 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    -39.35 (-4.08%)
    More Active Stocks

    Market Snapshot

    • Top Gainers
    • Top Losers
    • 52 Week High

    Amber Enterprises India share price

    5,170.45
    03:57 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    325.35 (6.72%)

    Petronet LNG share price

    364.30
    03:56 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    20.05 (5.82%)

    Jubilant Ingrevia share price

    819.30
    03:40 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    44.1 (5.69%)

    Angel Broking share price

    2,739.65
    03:40 PM | 3 OCT 2024
    139.6 (5.37%)
    More from Top Gainers

    Recommended For You

      More Recommendations

      Gold Prices

      • 24K
      • 22K
      Bangalore
      77,475.00560.00
      Chennai
      77,481.00560.00
      Delhi
      77,633.00560.00
      Kolkata
      77,485.00560.00

      Fuel Price

      • Petrol
      • Diesel
      Bangalore
      102.86/L0.00
      Chennai
      100.75/L0.00
      Kolkata
      104.95/L0.00
      New Delhi
      94.72/L0.00

      Popular in News

        HomeMarketsPremiumInstant LoanMint Shorts