Defamation Case Against Nirmala Sitharaman: Delhi Court Fines Lipika Mitra ₹5k for non-appearance
Court slaps Rs. 5,000 fine on Lipika Mitra for skipping hearing in defamation case against Finance Minister Sitharaman; grants last chance to reply, hearing next on August 2;
A Delhi Court on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs. 5,000 on Lipika Mitra, wife of former AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, for failing to appear in her criminal defamation case against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Paras Dalal of Rouse Avenue Court noted that neither Mitra nor her counsel appeared for the scheduled hearing, not even via video conferencing.
“None is present on behalf of the complainant side, and even none appeared on behalf of the complainant side through video-conferencing (VC),” the ACMM observed.
The Court further noted that the present date was fixed in consultation with both sides at the previous hearing. “In view of non-appearance, a cost of Rs. 5,000 is imposed on the complainant (Mitra) to be deposited with the Central Delhi Court Bar Association,” the Court ordered.
The Court granted Mitra a final opportunity to file her reply and advance arguments, and listed the matter for August 2.
Mitra’s complaint accuses Sitharaman of making "defamatory, false, and malicious statements" during a press conference on May 17, 2024, allegedly targeting her and her husband for political gains in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
The complaint alleges that Sitharaman’s comments were aimed at damaging Bharti’s electoral prospects and selectively mentioned their past matrimonial discord while omitting the fact that the couple had reconciled and were living together.
Previously
It is to be noted that on June 26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had objected to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti representing his wife, Lipika Mitra, in the case filed against her, citing a “clear conflict of interest.”
On June 12, the Delhi Court had fixed June 26, 2025, for consideration of a criminal defamation complaint lodged by Mitra.
Pertinently, on May 19, the Delhi Court took cognizance of the complaint and issued notice to Nirmala Sitharaman, directing her to appear on June 12. The magistrate had observed that the proposed accused must be given an opportunity to be heard.
Case Title: Lipika Mitra v. Nirmala Sitharaman