Delhi Court Rejects Plea Against Sitharaman
A Delhi court has dismissed a criminal defamation complaint against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, holding that no prima facie case was made out to continue proceedings. The case stemmed from remarks she made during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign regarding AAP leader Somnath Bharti and allegations linked to his marital dispute.
Delhi Court Dismisses Defamation Complaint
The Rouse Avenue Court refused to take cognisance of the complaint and said the legal threshold for criminal defamation had not been met. In its observations, the court used unusually strong language to describe the complaint, indicating that the material placed before it lacked legal value and could not justify further action.
Nirmala Sitharaman Remarks Case Explained
The complaint had been filed by Lipika Mitra, wife of Somnath Bharti. She argued that Sitharaman’s campaign remarks, which were circulated widely through media and online platforms, damaged Bharti’s public image, affected his electoral prospects and caused distress to the family. The controversy centred on Sitharaman referring to earlier allegations involving Bharti during a political press conference.
Court Calls Remarks Part Of Political Discourse
The court held that Sitharaman’s statements fell within the scope of political discourse during an election campaign and were aimed at criticising a rival political formation on issues of women’s safety and public accountability. It also pointed to weaknesses in the complaint, including issues around the complainant’s individual standing and inconsistencies in witness material. The court further noted that the statements were based on allegations already in the public domain rather than fresh, fabricated claims.
