Earlier, on December 11, 2024, Senior Civil Judge Naina Gupta had issued a notice to Bansuri Swaraj and other respondents, asking them to respond to the suit.
New Delhi, February 22: A Delhi court has postponed the hearing of a civil defamation case filed by former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyender Jain against BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj.
The case was set to be heard in Rohini District Court, but the hearing did not take place because the presiding judge, Naina Gupta, was on leave.
The court has now scheduled the hearing for July 14, 2025.
Background
Satyender Jain had filed a defamation lawsuit against Bansuri Swaraj, alleging that she made defamatory remarks about him during a television interview in October 2023. He claims that the statements made during the interview were false and harmed his reputation.
Earlier, on December 11, 2024, Senior Civil Judge Naina Gupta had issued a notice to Bansuri Swaraj and other respondents, asking them to respond to the suit.
Jain has demanded that the TV channel remove the interview from its platform. He has also requested the court to prevent Bansuri Swaraj from making any more such statements. As part of the defamation claim, Jain has sought symbolic damages of one rupee.
Apart from the civil defamation suit, Jain had also filed a criminal defamation case against Bansuri Swaraj in Rouse Avenue Court. However, this criminal case was dismissed by the court.
Jain’s legal complaint alleges that millions of viewers watched the television interview in which Bansuri Swaraj made the statements against him. He contends that she made these remarks to tarnish his image and gain political benefits.
The complaint highlights that Bansuri Swaraj allegedly claimed that Rs. 3 crore in cash was recovered from Jain’s house.
She also reportedly said that 1.8 kg of gold and 133 gold coins were found at his residence.
Jain’s petition states that these allegations were linked to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at his house. He is currently out on bail in that case, which is still pending in court.
Satyender Jain has alleged that Bansuri Swaraj deliberately defamed him by calling him “Corrupt” and “Fraud” during the interview. He claims that multiple false, malicious, and defamatory statements were made against him.
The petition states that the accusations by Bansuri Swaraj have seriously damaged his reputation and affected him personally and politically. It says that the smear campaign has impacted his image as a husband, father, brother, friend, and as a common member of society.
Jain further argues that the damage caused by the “frivolous allegations” is “immeasurable”, stating that his character and reputation have been attacked both as an elected representative and in his personal capacity.
