New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to hear a petition filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday. The petition challenges the summons issued in a defamation case linked to their remarks about the alleged removal of voters’ names from the electoral rolls.
Background of the Defamation Case
The case involves a complaint filed by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar in March 2019. Babbar alleged that during a press conference, AAP leaders accused the BJP of orchestrating the deletion of nearly 30 lakh voters’ names from the electoral rolls, targeting communities such as Baniyas, Purvanchalis, and Muslims. Following this, the trial court issued summons to Kejriwal, Atishi, Sushil Kumar Gupta, and Manoj Kumar.
Earlier, the Delhi High Court declined to interfere with the trial court’s summons, stating that the defence that the allegations were made with good intentions and in public interest must be proven during the trial. The single-judge bench of Justice Anup Kumar Mendiratta observed that the allegations appeared defamatory at first glance and seemed designed to tarnish the BJP’s image and gain political advantage by blaming it for the voter list controversy. The court also noted that adding or deleting names in the voter list is primarily the Election Commission’s responsibility under the law, and political parties generally have little role in this process.
Supreme Court’s Earlier Interim Relief
In an earlier development, the Supreme Court had granted interim relief to Kejriwal and Atishi by staying further proceedings in the defamation case filed by Babbar. The bench, led by then Justice Hrishikesh Roy, highlighted the need to examine whether a political party can be considered a victim entitled to file a defamation suit. The court ordered issuance of a notice to Babbar to respond within four weeks, with all further actions stayed in the meantime.
Upcoming Hearing and Judicial Panel
The upcoming hearing is listed before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N.K. Singh. Kejriwal and Atishi seek cancellation of the summons issued in the defamation case, contending that the allegations against them are baseless and politically motivated.
This case continues to attract significant attention as it touches upon sensitive issues of electoral integrity and political accountability.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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