In a significant development, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court granted relief to former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in a criminal defamation case.
Former Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit filed the case, accusing them of making defamatory statements during a press conference on December 26.
Allegations & Counterclaims
Atishi and Singh had accused Sandeep Dikshit of taking crores of rupees from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in an effort to defeat AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal.
They alleged that Dikshit and other Congress leaders had colluded with the BJP to harm AAP’s prospects.
Dikshit asserted that if the claims were true, he would be a criminal and should face investigation by agencies like the CBI and ED.
He further called the allegations baseless and false.
Court’s Decision
The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Paras Dalal, rejected Sandeep Dikshit’s request for a summons, ruling that the complaint was insufficient to proceed with the defamation case.
This judgment came as a major victory for Atishi and Sanjay Singh, clearing them of any wrongdoing in this matter.
Prior to this case, Sandeep Dikshit had filed a civil defamation case in the Delhi High Court, seeking ₹10 crores in damages from Atishi and Singh.
However, the High Court had dismissed the case, ruling that the allegations did not warrant compensation.
This further solidified the case against the defamation accusations.
In his response, Dikshit had strongly refuted the claims made by Atishi and Singh, asserting that if they were true, investigations should be conducted against him.
He also claimed that if he had received any such payments, he would use the funds for public welfare, including cleaning the Yamuna and addressing pollution in Delhi.
Dikshit also referred to previous allegations made by Arvind Kejriwal against the Sheila Dikshit government, which he claimed were never substantiated with evidence.
Political Implications
This legal battle comes amid ongoing political tensions between AAP and Congress, with accusations and counterclaims shaping the political discourse in Delhi.
Both parties continue to use such allegations in their strategies to garner public support and discredit opponents.
The ruling by Rouse Avenue Court provides significant relief to Atishi and Sanjay Singh, clearing them of the defamation charges.
It also highlights the ongoing legal and political challenges faced by political leaders as they navigate complex and often contentious political relationships.
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