DDCA row: HC dismisses AAP leader's plea over defamation suit

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai seeking removal of his name from a defamation suit filed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Jaitley has sought Rs.10 crore in damages following the Aam Aadmi Party leaders' statements on alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). In the suit, Jaitley has named Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and AAP leaders Kumar Vishwas, Raghav Chadha, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai.

Justice Vipin Sanghi dismissed Bajpai's plea which said there were no specific averments against him in the defamation suit and he should be removed as a party in the case.

Advocate H.S. Phoolka, appearing for Bajpai, told the court that in the defamation suit, affidavit and documents attached with it, there were no averments against him.

Advocates Rajiv Nayar and Prathiba M. Singh, appearing for Jaitley, opposed Bajpai's plea saying the suit specifically mentioned that the defamatory statements were made both "individually and collectively as part of a conspiracy".

Bajpai's Twitter handle had several defamatory statements against Jaitley, they added.