In a recent development, a Delhi court has issued summons to Atishi Marlena, a key figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), while stating that there is no case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a defamation suit filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The defamation case was initiated by Praveen Shankar Kapoor, the media head of BJP’s Delhi unit, alleging that both Kejriwal and Atishi made defamatory statements against the BJP.
Background of the Case
The case centers around allegations made by Kejriwal and Atishi that the BJP was attempting to poach AAP MLAs, offering bribes to induce them to switch allegiance and destabilize the Delhi government. Kapoor’s complaint accused the AAP leaders of making false and malicious statements intended to damage the reputation of the BJP and its members. The complaint emphasized that these statements were widely publicized through press conferences and social media, further amplifying their impact.
Court’s Decision
The court, presided over by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tanya Bamniyal, has directed Atishi to appear for pre-summoning evidence on May 4, 2024. However, the court found insufficient grounds to proceed against Kejriwal, thereby excluding him from the summons.
The BJP’s legal action highlights the contentious political environment in Delhi, where allegations and counter-allegations between parties are not uncommon. The court’s decision to issue summons to Atishi while excluding Kejriwal reflects the judicial scrutiny applied to such high-profile political disputes.