Jaitley files defamation complaint, court takes cognizance

New Delhi, Dec 21: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley filed a criminal defamation complaint against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five other leaders of AAP for allegedly defaming him in the DDCA controversy before a Delhi court which took cognizance on his plea.

"The present complaint has been filed in personal capacity. On perusing the material on record, I take cognizance of the offences.

Matter be now put up for complainant evidence on January 5," Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Khanagwal said.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, who appeared for Jaitley, told the court that the accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have made completely baseless and defamatory allegations against the Finance Minister regarding alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

"Mr. Jaitley has not drawn a single penny from the DDCA. Completely baseless and defamatory allegations have been levelled against him and his family members," Luthra said.

During the 35-minute long hearing, Jaitley and various other top leaders of BJP, including Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu, J P Nadda, Smriti Irani, Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore were present in the court.

PTI