NEW DELHI: The Delhi court on Friday stayed the proceedings before the magistrate in a defamation case against chief minister Atishi.
The sessions court at Rouse Avenue has listed the matter for hearing on December 2, ANI News Agency reported.
Delhi CM Atishi had approached the sessions court against an order of a magisterial court summoning her in a criminal defamation case filed by BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor.
In the defamation case, Kapoor claimed that Atishi’s allegations caused harm to his and his party’s standing. A Delhi court issued summons to Atishi on May 28, which she contested in court the following month. Subsequently, on July 23, Atishi received bail after her physical appearance and submission of bail bond.
In her legal filing, Atishi contended that Kapoor failed to establish even preliminary evidence that the alleged statements were directed at him personally or targeted him in any way. The Delhi chief minister noted the absence of any explanation regarding why the BJP had not lodged a complaint themselves.
The chief minister additionally pointed out that records indicate Kapoor was not a “person aggrieved” by the alleged offence, thus lacking the authority to file the complaint that led to her summons. The petition emphasised that the trial court could only consider defamation cases when complaints came from individuals directly affected by the alleged offence.
On April 29 this year, Kapoor sought legal intervention, stating that following CBI and ED investigations into the discontinued Delhi liquor excise policy, AAP and its leadership made accusations against BJP.
Kapoor referenced a post on X (formerly Twitter) by Kejriwal dated January 27 and Atishi’s press conference on April 2, stating that the widespread circulation of the accused persons’ statements significantly damaged his reputation in society.
According to Kapoor’s allegations, Atishi and Kejriwal claimed through media interactions and social platforms that the BJP attempted to destabilise the AAP government in Delhi by approaching 21 AAP MLAs, offering each Rs 25 crores to defect to BJP.
Kapoor maintained that these defamatory statements by the two AAP politicians, aimed at gaining political advantage through social media, have damaged his standing amongst the general public.