AAP candidates file defamation cases against the webportal

The Aam Aadmi Party candidates, whose names have figured in a sting operation by a portal, have filed defamation cases against the CEO of the website and said they were mulling action against some of news channels for running "doctored CD" without verifying its authenticity.
"Our candidates have filed a cases against the webportal for allegedly defaming them by releasing the doctored CD.
"The party has also filed a criminal defamation complaint against the CEO of the webportal and two officials of a news channel for constantly carrying the story based on the alleged sting operation without verifying its veracity," AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said, adding AAP leaders would be meeting Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer tomorrow over the issue.

The development came as the office of Chief Electoral Officer today said it has provided a copy of the CD containing sting operation to AAP on EC's direction and they may take any further action against the media portal, besides approaching the Election Commission for further redressal of their grievances.
AAP leaders said they would meet Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev to take up the matter.
"We will take the case to a logical conclusion and won't allow anyone to tarnish our image. Our leaders are also going to meet Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer tomorrow over the issue," said AAP in a statement.

The party also said it was mulling "action" against some of the news channels who ran the story without verifying the facts for days, which defamed the party and its candidates.

"We have grievances with television channels who aired the sting operations but when we pointed lacunae in the 'doctored CD', barring a few, most of them didn't run the story," he said, adding it shows media has become judgemental.
"We would request the media houses to go through the entire 14-hour long unedited video and show the truth to the people. If you don't get the unedited version, the party is ready to provide them," Yadav said.

AAP leader Kumar Vishwas, who was allegedly claimed to have been accepting black money in the sting operations, said he would not participate in any programme of television channels which showed him in bad light till they tender a "public apology".
The sting operation by medial portal Media Sarkar had alleged that several AAP leaders, who were contacted for their help in recovering money from some individuals and getting through some controversial land deals, readily agreed to extend their support in return for donations in cash to the party.
The charges had been dismissed as baseless by AAP. AAP had also requested the commission to stop the circulation of the CD saying it was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The CEO office in a written communique to AAP yesterday said it has already provided a copy of the CD containing sting operation to them on EC's direction.
A senior election officer said the matter is being heard by the EC and any further action will be taken by them. While the media portal has submitted the CD to CEO office, it has been sent to EC with comments.