BJP leader to face defamation trial on Dikshit's plea

A Delhi court Tuesday framed criminal defamation charges against BJP leader Vijender Gupta on a complaint lodged by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Metropolitan Magistrate Namrita Aggarwal, framing the charges against Gupta, also directed Dikshit to appear in court Oct 28 to record evidence.

The judge said: "Charge under section 500 IPC (defamation) is framed against the accused (Gupta) to which he pleads not guilty and claims trial."

Dikshit filed the criminal defamation case against Gupta alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader used "uncivilised" language against her in the run up to the civic polls last year.

On July 1, the court ordered the charges to be framed against Gupta and said an offence of defamation was prima facie made out against him.

Gupta pleaded not guilty.

"I am feeling humiliated. If you (court) go through the interview, nowhere have I used any defamatory word against the chief minister. If I am guilty, put me in jail right away," said Gupta.

Gupta had also moved the Delhi High Court for quashing the order on charges against him on the ground that the entire material, supporting Dikshit's complaint, was based on hearsay.

He had also sought proceedings in the case be suspended, which the high court had rejected.