The Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday has ruled that it has jurisdiction to proceed with a defamation complaint filed by former Delhi minister Satyender Jain against BJP leader Karnail Singh.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal orally pronounced the decision, stating, “This court has jurisdiction to proceed with the matter.”
The court has scheduled the matter for arguments on cognizance on May 8, and the detailed order is expected to be uploaded on the court website by evening.
Dispute Over Jurisdiction & Maintainability
The complaint stems from allegations made by Karnail Singh during an interview aired on January 19, 2025, where he accused Jain of corruption, claiming that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) recovered 37 kg of gold from Jain’s residence and that Jain owned 1,100 acres of land. Jain, represented by Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj, has denied the allegations and moved the court alleging defamation.
Singh’s counsel, Advocate Vinod Dahiya, contested the maintainability of the complaint. He argued that at the time the complaint was filed, Karnail Singh was not an elected MLA, and hence the Special MP/MLA Court, designated to hear cases involving Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies, lacked jurisdiction.
On April 17, the court had reserved its order on this preliminary issue after hearing detailed submissions. Dahiya reiterated that since Singh was not holding any public office at the time of the incident, the case should not be heard by the special MP/MLA Court.
However, ACJM Dalal maintained that the court had the authority to proceed, noting that Singh still has the right to challenge the jurisdiction during arguments.
Jain’s Argument
Advocate Rajat Bhardwaj cited judgments from the Delhi High Court and Manipur High Court, which he argued allow a former MLA like Jain to file a complaint before the Special MP/MLA Court.
During an earlier hearing, the court had questioned Jain’s counsel, asking, “How is this complaint maintainable here? This court is to hear cases against MPs and MLAs.” In response, Bhardwaj asserted that according to High Court rulings, if a complainant is a former legislator, the complaint is maintainable before this court.
Defamation Allegations Against Karnail Singh
In his complaint, Jain accuses Karnail Singh, a BJP candidate for the Shakoor Basti constituency, of maligning his reputation by calling him corrupt and labeling him a “Bhoo Mafia” (land mafia) during the televised interview. Jain contends that Singh’s allegations about gold recovery, land ownership, and corruption were entirely baseless and intended to damage his public image.
The court has now directed Jain’s counsel to file amended memos of the parties and will take up the matter for arguments on May 8.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
