Read Time: 04 minutes

Synopsis

The Rouse Avenue Court, recently, issued notice to BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor in a plea filed by Chief Minister Atishi Marlena challenging the summoning order issued in May 2024. The summoning order, by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Tanya Bamniyal, was passed in a defamation case filed by Kapoor. 

CM Atishi, in a press conference dated April 2, 2024, claimed that: “(I was told that I could either join BJP and save my political career or not join BJP and get arrested by the ED)- Mujhe yeh kaha gaya ki ya toh main Bharatiya Janata party join karlu, apna career bacha loon, apna political career badha loon aur agar Bharatiya Janata Party nahi join kari toh anne wale ek mahine main ED dwara mujhe girftaar kar liya jayega”. 

She further accused the BJP-led central government of using investigative agencies to intimidate political opponents. It was also asserted that she and her colleagues, including Raghav Chadha and Saurabh Bharadwaj, could be targeted before the upcoming general elections.

 BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor, initiated a defamation case against CM Atishi, contending that she failed to provide specific details or evidence regarding her accusations against the BJP. Advocate Swain prayed for an immediate retraction of her statements and a public apology to be broadcasted on television and social media.

Kapoor, represented by Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain, also contended that “The reputation of the complainant is badly affected because of these press conferences, allegations, and posts by the alleged accused persons as he is the media head and spokesperson of Delhi unit of BJP”.  

Special Judge Vishal Gogne further scheduled the matter for October 7, coinciding with the defamation case listed before ACMM Tanya Bamniyal. 

[Inputs: ANI]