Atishi’s Counsel Seeks Time To File Rejoinder To Complainant’s Reply

The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday has granted time for Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena’s counsel to submit a rejoinder to BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor’s reply in a defamation case.

Atishi has challenged the summons issued against her by Kapoor.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne heard the arguments from Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta, who is representing Atishi, and set the next hearing for November 22. Gupta appeared via video conference.

Praveen Shankar Kapoor had previously filed a reply stating that Atishi’s appeal lacks merit and should be dismissed. The sessions court had requested the trial court records just two days prior to the hearing before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate. Kapoor’s reply indicated that the summons was issued after thorough consideration of the relevant facts and evidence.

Kapoor, representing the BJP as the media head and spokesperson for its Delhi unit, argued that any defamatory statements made by Atishi would be damaging to him due to his longstanding association with the party. His reply was submitted by Advocate Shoumendu Mukherjee, who also appeared via video conference.

Kapoor’s defamation complaint stems from statements made by Atishi during a press conference on April 2, 2024, where she claimed she was approached by the BJP to join the party. Kapoor’s legal notice accused Atishi of making false and malicious statements intended to harm the reputation of both the BJP and its members.

The notice requested that Atishi withdraw her statements and publicly apologize. It criticized her for failing to provide specific details about her allegations against the BJP, claiming her statements were a product of her imagination rather than factual accounts.

Atishi has alleged that the BJP approached her through a close aide, suggesting that if she did not join the party, she would face arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). In her address, she asserted, “The BJP, through one of my close aides, approached me to join their party to save my political career. If I do not join, I will be arrested by the ED.” She condemned the BJP-led central government for attempting to intimidate opposition parties using investigative agencies.

Additionally, Atishi claimed that in the lead-up to the general elections, other AAP leaders, including Raghav Chadha and Saurabh Bharadwaj, might also face similar threats of arrest.

The court proceedings highlight ongoing tensions between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP, as both sides prepare for the upcoming electoral battle amidst allegations and counter-allegations.

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