- By Vivek Raj
- Tue, 28 May 2024 02:42 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court's Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) has admitted a defamation suit filed by Praveen Shankar Kapoor, head of the Delhi BJP's Media Department, against Delhi Minister Atishi and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The court has summoned Minister Atishi to appear on June 29 regarding allegations of baseless accusations against the BJP of poaching AAP MLAs. Praveen Shankar Kapoor filed the defamation suit alleging that remarks made by Atishi and Kejriwal had damaged the reputation.
In his application in the court, Praveen Kapoor cited a social media post by Delhi CM Kejriwal in which HE alleged that the BJP had contacted seven AAP MLAs and was offering Rs 25 crore to switch sides.
What Is The Defamation Case Against Atishi?
In April, the BJP issued a defamation notice to Atishi after she claimed during a press conference that she was coerced into joining the BJP or face arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) within a month. Atishi alleged that she, along with other AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Durgesh Pathak, and Raghav Chadha, were threatened with arrest if they did not comply with BJP's demands.
"I was told that I should enhance my political career by joining the BJP, otherwise the ED would arrest me within a month... Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are determined to dismantle AAP and its leadership," Atishi had said during the press conference.
The case highlights the ongoing political tensions between the BJP and AAP, with allegations of "Operation Lotus," a purported strategy by the ruling party to lure opposition leaders. Earlier instances include AAP's lone Lok Sabha MP from Punjab, Sushil Kumar Rinku, and Jalandhar West MLA Sheetal Angural, joining the BJP in March. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the BJP of enticing AAP MLAs in Punjab with offers of money, security, and positions.
The court has also deferred its decision on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) supplementary chargesheet (prosecution complaint) filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi Liquor Policy case. The court has scheduled June 4 for the announcement of its decision regarding the acceptance of the chargesheet.