Hearing in defamation case against Digvijaya deferred

A court here Monday deferred the hearing in a defamation case against Congress leader Digvijaya Singh filed by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha listed the matter for Jan 9 for hearing arguments after Gadkari's counsel sought an adjournment.

The court instructed Gadkari to remain present during the next hearing and imposed a fine of Rs.10,000 on him after he failed to appear before the court Monday.

However, the court later recalled its order on the fine after Gadkari's counsel assured that he will positively attend the court proceedings on the next date.

The court allowed Gadkari's plea seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day.

Digvijaya Singh was present in court.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gadkari had in Oct 1, 2012 filed a defamation case against Digvijaya Singh, who accused him of having business links with BJP parliamentarian Ajay Sancheti who allegedly pocketed a huge sum in the allocation of coal blocks, which the Supreme Court later cancelled.

It was also said in the complaint that Digvijaya Singh had accused Gadkari of pocketing Rs.490 crore in the allocation to Sancheti.

In his petition, Gadkari sought Digvijaya Singh's prosecution under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Gadkari, in his statement recorded in court, denied having any business ties with Sancheti and said Digvijaya Singh levelled "totally false and defamatory" allegations against him to "give the impression that I have been responsible for allocation of the coal mines" to Sancheti.

Gadkari said Digvijaya Singh levelled defamatory allegations against him to lower his dignity and malign and tarnish his image.

The court Nov 17, 2012 issued summons to Digvijaya Singh after finding prima facie evidence against him.

On Dec 21, 2012, he was granted bail by the court after he appeared before it in pursuance of the summons issued against him.