Defamation-duel in Delhi-HC: Smriti Irani gets relief, Sanjay Nirupam doesn't
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday gave relief to Union Minister Smriti Irani by quashing the summons issued against her in a defamation case filed by Congress Minister Sanjay Nirupam. The court, however, did not give the same comfort to Nirupam and said the defamation case against him would continue. Justice R K Gauba passed two separate verdicts on these leaders' plea.
The case dates back to 2012 when Nirupam allegedly made snide remarks against Irani on a television debate. "You used to charge money to perform dance shows on television, and now you have become an election analyst," Nirupam had allegedly told Irani after Gujarat Assembly poll results. In July this year, Irani told a court she wanted a trial as Nirupam used derogatory words.
After Irani's complaint, Nirupam was booked under IPC Section 500 (defamation) and 509 (uttering any word or making any gesture intended to insult the modesty of a woman). However, things took a murky turn when Nirupam sent a notice to Irani, through his counsel, asking her to apologize for 'derogatory and scurrilous comments' remarks she made. Irani, allegedly, made 'direct aspersions' on Nirupam's character.
Earlier, the court suggested both the leaders to reach an amicable settlement outside the court. On June 6, 2014, a trial court issued summons against Irani and she approached the HC to quash them. Separately, Nirupam approached the HC against the magistrate's March 11, 2013 order which summoned him. He also wanted Irani's defamation complaint filed against him quashed.
