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Synopsis

The Rouse Avenue Court, on Monday, directed BJP functionary Praveen Shankar Kapoor to file his reply in a revision petition moved by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. The petition was filed to challenge the summoning order passed in a defamation petition filed by Praveen Kapoor. The court of Special Judge Vishal Gogne listed the matter for October 23 at 2 PM.

In her petition, Atishi mentioned that Praveen Kapoor was not able to prove that the statements she made were directed at him personally and that if they targeted the BJP, the party could have filed a complaint themselves. She stated that Kapoor was not aggrieved by the alleged offence. Therefore, he was not competent to file a defamation case.

Atishi, during an interview, claimed that the BJP was trying to topple and remove the AAP government from power and stated that the party had contacted 21 AAP MLAs, offering them Rs. 25 crores each to leave AAP and join the BJP.

In April, 2024, Kapoor approached the court alleging that Atishi made these defamatory remarks against the BJP after a case was registered by CBI and ED against AAP leaders in the now-defunct liquor policy case.

Background

In July 2024, Atishi appeared before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Taniya Bamniyal in Praveen Kapoor's defamation case. Judge Bamniyal had granted bail to Atishi, directing her to furnish a bail bond of Rs. 20,000 and one surety. Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta and Advocate Shailendra Singh represented the AAP leader. They sought time from the court to go through the requisite documents before arguing the case.

Subsequently, in September 2024, the Rouse Avenue Court issued notice to Praveen Shankar Kapoor on a plea filed by Atishi against the summoning order against her. At that time, Atishi in a press conference, denied the defamation charges against her. She claimed that she was told by BJP leaders to either join their party and save her political career, or face ED action against her.

However, Advocate Rajat Swain, representing Kapoor, had contended that Atishi did not have enough evidence to substantiate her allegations against the BJP and demanded that she publicly apologize for her remarks, which would be broadcast on television and social media. He also said, “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”.  

Notably, in February 2022 as well, Atishi faced legal action for her supposedly defamatory remarks against a political figure, BJP leader Chhail Bihari Goswami. Goswami had argued that Atishi’s remarks were casting aspersions on his “moral and intellectual character”.

[Inputs: ANI]