Today(on 29th June),Delhi Minister Atishi appeared virtually in court for a defamation case filed by BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor, with a hearing set for July 23. The court issued a summons for Atishi but refused to summon Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal due to an incorrect address.
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DELHI: Today(on 29th June), A defamation case has been filed against Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi by BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor. The Rouse Avenue court has scheduled a hearing for July 23.
The summons was not served initially due to an incorrect address. Atishi made a virtual court appearance regarding the defamation complaint. Metropolitan Magistrate Tanya Bamniyal is presiding over the case. The summons for this appearance was originally issued on May 28.
Despite Kapoor naming both Atishi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his complaint, the court refused to issue a summons to Kejriwal. The court’s decision was based on the finding that the address provided for the summons was incorrect, though Kapoor’s counsel asserted that they had served the summons correctly.
Atishi and her senior counsel, Ramesh Gupta, participated in the proceedings via video conferencing. The court directed that a copy of the complaint be provided to her counsel present in the courtroom. Kapoor’s counsel submitted a report confirming the delivery of the summons.
The court instructed-
“Scheduled for the accused’s appearance and further proceedings on July 23.”
Prior to filing the defamation complaint, Praveen Shankar Kapoor sent a legal notice to Atishi over her public claims that the BJP had approached her through a “very close” person to join their party. Atishi had made these claims during a press conference held on April 2, 2024.
The legal notice, sent by Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain on behalf of Kapoor, stated that Atishi’s statements were made with deliberate and malicious intent. The notice accused her of making false, scandalous, concocted, and illusionary statements that were defamatory and aimed at harming the reputation of the BJP and its members.
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The notice asserted-
“In the entire speech, she neither disclosed specific details about the source of her information nor provided any particulars about the actions of the BJP. Lacking specifics, your statement appears to be an intentional effort to project your own imagination and apprehensions.”
Atishi claimed that she was approached by the BJP through one of her close aides with an ultimatum to join the party or face arrest by the ED.
Addressing the media, she said-
“The BJP, through one of my close associates, approached me to join their party to save my political career. They warned that if I refuse, I will be arrested by the ED in the coming month.”
The AAP leader did not hold back in her criticism of the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of using probe agencies to threaten and destabilize her party.
“I want to tell the BJP that we will not be intimidated by you. We are the soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal and followers of Bhagat Singh. We will continue to protect the Constitution and strive to improve the lives of the people under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership.”
– she asserted.
According to Atishi, the BJP’s alleged intimidation is not limited to her alone. She suggested that in the run-up to the general elections, the central probe agency would target more AAP leaders.
“In the next two months leading up to the general elections, several more leaders, including Raghav Chadha and Saurabh Bharadwaj, are expected to be arrested by the central probe agency.”
-she warned.
This series of accusations has prompted a response from the BJP, which has issued a notice demanding that Atishi immediately retract her statements and issue a public apology. The notice stipulates that –
“She should retract the speech and broadcast a prominent apology on television and social media.”
These allegations and the subsequent response have further strained the already tense political environment in Delhi. The AAP, under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, has frequently clashed with the BJP on various fronts, including governance, policy implementation, and political strategies.
Atishi’s statements reflect a broader sentiment within the AAP regarding the use of federal agencies as tools of political vendetta. The party has repeatedly accused the central government of misusing institutions like the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to target its leaders and disrupt its functioning.
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The BJP, on the other hand, has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that the investigations are based on legitimate concerns of financial irregularities and corruption. They argue that AAP’s accusations are an attempt to deflect attention from their legal troubles and governance issues.
As the political drama unfolds, the people of Delhi and the broader Indian electorate are watching closely. The allegations of coercion and misuse of power are likely to play a significant role in shaping public opinion as the nation heads towards the general elections.
This incident also raises critical questions about the integrity and independence of investigative agencies in India. The frequent clashes between political parties and the involvement of these agencies highlight the need for a robust and transparent mechanism to ensure that justice is served impartially, free from political interference.
In the meantime, the AAP continues to position itself as a party fighting against what it perceives as authoritarian tactics by the BJP. Atishi’s defiant stance underscores the party’s resolve to stand firm against what it sees as unjust pressure tactics, drawing inspiration from historical figures like Bhagat Singh and emphasizing their commitment to upholding democratic values and the Constitution.
