Dikshit defamation case: Fresh summons to Delhi BJP chief

Fresh summons were issued on Friday to Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Vijender Gupta as he failed to appear before a Delhi court to respond to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's complaint for his prosecution for allegedly defaming her.

Metropolitan Magistrate Saumya Chauhan, who had on June 4 sought Gupta's appearance for on Friday, issued fresh summons for July 12 to the Delhi BJP chief seeking his reply on Dikshit's allegation that he had used "uncivilised language" to defame her before the recent MCD polls, held on April 15.

"Issue fresh summons. Put up the matter for hearing on July 12," the court ordered.

Dikshit's lawyer Mehmood Paracha had earlier told the court that the BJP leader is required to be summoned to find out if his defamatory remarks before the MCD polls were to gain political mileage by maligning the chief minister.

Dikshit had also recorded her statement before the metropolitan magistrate in the case on May 30.

She had filed the criminal defamation case alleging that the BJP leader used "uncivilised" language against her before the MCD polls.

The chief minister had also filed a civil suit in the Delhi high court demanding a token damages of Re 1 from Gupta for erecting hoardings across the city, accusing her government of conniving with private discoms and indulging in corruption in determining power tariff.

Gupta, however, had contended in the high court that "fair" criticism is part and parcel of a healthy democracy.

The chief minister had testified that she had sent legal notices to Gupta after the civic polls but the BJP leader did not apologise and rather stood by his remarks.