Jaitley files another case against Kejriwal

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, May 22

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today filed yet another defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi High Court seeking Rs 10 crore as compensation for loss of reputation.

Jaitley has approached the HC again as Kejriwal’s senior counsel Ram Jethmalani had, while cross-examining the FM in a Rs 10-crore civil defamation case in the HC last week, used an objectionable word against the BJP leader and maintained he was doing so on the advice of his client.

This is Jaitley’s third defamation case against the AAP leader. In December 2015, the BJP stalwart filed a civil suit in the HC seeking Rs 10 crore as damages and a criminal case in a trial court here, both against Kejriwal, for blaming him for the alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for 17 years till 2013. The BJP leader was the DDCA president during the period.

Kejriwal had questioned the legal validity of Jaitley filing two defamation cases, one civil and another criminal, on the basis of a single statement levelling graft charges. The HC rejected the objection and allowed Jaitley to pursue both cases simultaneously.

Jethmalani used the objectionable expression during proceedings before the HC Registrar. On being informed about the development, Justice Manmohan said if such a word had in fact been uttered, Kejriwal should step into the box and clarify his stand before further hearing in the suit.

Third defamation suit against Delhi CM  

• Union minister Arun Jaitley filed his third civil defamation suit for Rs 10 crore against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal whose lawyer allegedly used an objectionable word against him last week
• The Delhi Chief Minister’s counsel Ram Jethmalani allegedly abused the Union Minister in open court during his cross-examination in one of the defamation cases against Kejriwal and other AAP leaders