A Delhi court is set to deliver its order on April 23 on whether to take cognizance of a criminal defamation complaint filed by AAP leader Satyendra Jain against newly-elected MLA Karnail Singh.
The matter pertains to allegedly defamatory remarks made by Singh during a televised interview earlier this year.
Court Reserves Order On Jurisdiction & Maintainability
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal reserved the order after hearing arguments from both sides on the maintainability of the complaint and whether the court had the jurisdiction to proceed with the matter.
“The complainant and proposed accused have already concluded their arguments on the point of jurisdiction and maintainability. Matter be fixed for order on point of jurisdiction and consideration on April 23, 2025,” the court said.
Defamation Allegation
In his complaint, Jain accused Singh of making false and defamatory statements during a television interview broadcast on January 19, 2025. Jain claims that Singh made unsubstantiated allegations linking him to corruption and illicit wealth.
According to the complaint, Singh alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had recovered 37 kilograms of gold from Jain’s residence. He further claimed that Jain owned 1,100 acres of land, which he said was allegedly accumulated through corrupt practices and money laundering.
Jain, who has been associated with multiple high-profile investigations, contends that these remarks were made maliciously and without evidence, solely to damage his public image and political credibility.
Legal Battle
The case brings into focus the growing use of criminal defamation laws in political rivalries, where public statements made by leaders are increasingly landing them in legal battles. Jain’s legal team has argued that the comments were not only false but also intentionally damaging, and thus warrant legal action under defamation statutes.
Karnail Singh’s legal counsel, on the other hand, has reportedly contested the jurisdiction of the Delhi court, questioning whether it is the appropriate forum to hear the matter and whether the complaint meets the legal threshold for criminal defamation.
Awaited Verdict
With both sides having completed their arguments, the court’s upcoming order will determine whether Jain’s complaint will proceed to trial or be dismissed on legal grounds. The outcome could set the tone for how politically charged defamation disputes are handled in future cases.
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