Jaitley defamation case: Delhi HC seeks Kejriwal's reply on false affidavit

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal seeking reply on fresh plea in connection with an ongoing criminal defamation case.

Justice Manmohan issued notice to Kejriwal and sought his response within four weeks. He listed the matter for December 11.

On 17 May, at a round of cross-examination, Jethmalani had referred to Jaitley as a "crook" and "guilty of crimes and crookery". When questioned by the court, he clarified that he had obtained specific instructions from his client Kejriwal to say so.

Jaitley had earlier told the court, in his plea, that the remark/statement was "not only false, baseless, malicious and abusive, but also defamatory in nature".

Meanwhile, Kejriwal claimed that he had not instructed his the then counsel Ram Jethmalani to use abusive words against the union minister.

Jaitley has sought Rs 10 crore in damages and told the court he will revise the figure if Kejriwal has directed Jethmalani to abuse him during the hearing.

This is the second civil defamation case by Jaitley against Kejriwal in Delhi high court. A total of Rs20 crore is being sought under the two civil cases.

OneIndia News