BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor has filed an appeal in the Delhi High Court challenging the dismissal of his defamation case against Chief Minister Atishi. He argues that the special judge exceeded authority and denied him proper trial opportunities. Kapoor claims Atishi’s allegations about bribery harmed the BJP’s reputation and seek legal redress.
New Delhi: BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor has moved the Delhi High Court against the dismissal of his defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. Kapoor’s plea argues that the special judge, who quashed the summons issued by a lower court, went beyond his legal authority while making the decision.
Kapoor’s plea states,
“The Special Judge has ventured into political adventurism akin to a political discourse by attempting to determine who is a bigger/smaller political entity, which was not at all and never be the scope of adjudication in revision proceedings.”
Also Read: BREAKING || Arvind Kejriwal: “Accused Vijay Nair Reported to Atishi, Not Me” | ED’s Claim
He further contended that the judge denied him the opportunity to present his case fully in a trial, which he believes is a violation of his legal rights. Seeking the quashing of the order, Kapoor’s plea also argues that there were “various legal infirmities” in the decision.
Kapoor, a former media head and spokesperson of the Delhi BJP unit, had filed a defamation complaint against Atishi over allegations she made during press conferences on January 27 and April 2, 2024.
In these press conferences, Atishi accused the BJP of trying to bribe AAP MLAs with offers of Rs 20-25 crore to switch parties. Kapoor argued that these statements were baseless and intended to malign the BJP’s reputation.
His complaint also included former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an accused, but the magisterial court found no sufficient grounds to proceed against him in its May 28, 2024 order.
Atishi had challenged the summons against her in a revision petition before the special judge.
Also Read: BREAKING || AAP Leader-Atishi Gets Legal Notice For Defamation
On January 28, 2025, Special Judge Vishal Gogne ruled that Atishi’s allegations fell under the right to freedom of speech and were not defamatory. The judge held that Kapoor’s complaint was an attempt to suppress free speech and obstruct an investigation into alleged political corruption.
The court further noted,
“The allegations made by Atishi through the tweet and press conferences are in the nature of disclosing the commission of a criminal offence and merit investigation. Atishi is in the nature of a whistleblower and cannot be treated as having acted to defame the BJP.”
Kapoor has now approached the Delhi High Court to overturn the special judge’s ruling and restore his defamation case against Atishi. The High Court will soon decide whether the complaint warrants further legal proceedings or if the dismissal will stand.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE