Delhi CM Atishi and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have received relief from the Supreme Court in a criminal defamation case. The court has stayed the proceedings of the lower court and issued a notice to BJP leader Rajiv Babbar, requiring a response within four weeks.
The case is being heard by a bench led by Justice Hrishikesh Roy. During the proceedings, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Atishi and Kejriwal, argued that criminal defamation claims without demonstrable injury hold no legal merit. He pointed out that the complaint describes injury and shock as irreparable damage.
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Singhvi also referenced the case of Shashi Tharoor, suggesting that, based on that precedent, the court should similarly stay the proceedings against his clients. In contrast, the lawyer for Rajiv Babbar contended that this case is distinct from Tharoor’s and argued against staying the lower court’s proceedings.
Atishi and Kejriwal are contesting a decision made by the Delhi High Court regarding a statement about the removal of the Agarwal community’s names from the voting list. They were summoned by the lower court and ordered to appear, prompting their petition in the Delhi High Court, which was ultimately denied.
In 2019, Rajiv Babbar accused Kejriwal, Atishi, and others of inciting public sentiment against the BJP via social media. The case stems from allegations made regarding the removal of names of the Agarwal community from the voter list in Delhi.
Babbar claims that Kejriwal’s comments attempted to provoke voters against the BJP. In response, Aam Aadmi Party leaders have questioned why the BJP removed the names of four lakh Baniya voters from a total of eight lakh in Delhi, suggesting that this is a strategy to undermine their support.
As tensions rise between the BJP and Aam Aadmi Party leaders, the Supreme Court’s decision offers temporary relief to Atishi and Kejriwal as they navigate this contentious legal battle.
