Defamation cases: Sheila Dikshit appears in court, Gadkari fined

Metropolitan magistrate Neha had imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh on Dikshit for non-appearance in the case. However, on Saturday, the magistrate temporarily exempted Dikshit from depositing the fine after Dikshit’s counsel Mehmood Pracha informed the court that a petition has been filed before the Delhi High Court.

“Since the petition is pending before the High Court — which will hear the matter on January 6, 2015 — the fine will now be paid as per its direction,” the court said.

Dikshit made her first appearance in the case, after resigning as Kerala governor. When she had failed to appear post-resignation, the court had imposed the fine.

The court also permitted Dikshit to leave after it was informed by Pracha that he would first examine Dikshit’s political secretary Pawan Khera as the prosecution witness and not Dikshit.

Deposing before the court, Khera said, “Vijender Gupta had levelled allegations which were unsubstantiated. He used unparliamentary language like ‘villain and cheat’ repeatedly. Despite receiving a legal notice, he continued do that.”

Khera also said that the “fallout of foul language” used by the accused “undermined” Dikshit’s “political and social stature” and also impacted her “psychologically”. He said this “eventually caused her and her office tremendous harm”.

However, defence counsel Ajay Burman deferred cross-examination of Khera, stating that he will  “disclose his defence” only after cross-examining Dikshit. The court agreed to the submission.

In August 2013, the court had framed criminal defamation charges against Gupta for using “uncivilised” language against Dikshit during the 2012 MCD elections.

Union minister fined for not complying with court order in case against Kejriwal

A Delhi court on Saturday imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari after he failed to comply with its order in a criminal defamation case filed by him against former Delhi chief minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Metropolitan magistrate Gomati Manocha observed that Gadkari had not complied with the court’s order regarding filing an affidavit three days before the scheduled hearing on Saturday.

Imposing the fine, the court said the affidavit was to be supplied to Kejriwal’s counsel three days in advance but was sent only on Saturday.

“A final opportunity is being given to lead complainant evidence subject to a fine of Rs 10,000,” the magistrate said and fixed the matter for March 21, 2015.

During the hearing, senior advocate Pinki Anand — appearing for Gadkari — told the court that a copy of the affidavit has been sent to advocate Prashant Bhushan, who has been appearing for Kejriwal since December 18.

However, advocate Rishikesh, who appeared for Kejriwal, told the court that he was given the copy only on Saturday.

After Gadkari’s counsel told the magistrate that they have furnished the affidavit on court’s record on December 18, the court said the file has not been taken up and the court master was denying the same.

“How was this affidavit filed without the court’s knowledge? If you were filing an affidavit then it has to come on record of the court. Ahlmad (court master) denied that the affidavit was filed before him,” the magistrate said.