Court imposes costs on BJP for proposed non-appearance of its MP

Bhupender Yadav expressed his inability to appear as a witness on Saturday in a civil suit launched by Ram Jethmalani

BJP was on Friday directed by a Delhi court to pay Rs 25,000 as costs after its MP Bhupender Yadav expressed his inability to appear as a witness on Saturday in a civil suit lodged by its former member and senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani against his expulsion from the party.

Additional District Judge Vineeta Goyal asked the party to pay the costs to Delhi Legal Services Authority after it was told that the Rajya Sabha MP would not be able to appear before it tomorrow due to some personal reasons.

Advocate Manik Dogra, appearing for some of the leaders of the party against which the suit has been filed, sought adjournment of the matter, which was scheduled for Saturday, on this ground.

Advocate Ashish Dixit, who was representing Jethmalani, while agreeing for the adjournment, told the court that the respondents, including BJP Parliamentary Board, should be asked to pay costs for failure of its member to appear for the proceedings.

The court has adjourned the matter scheduled for tomorrow and listed it for hearing on August 17.

Jethmalani has filed the suit challenging BJP's decision to expel him from the party on the alleged charges of "breach of discipline" in May 2013 after he had openly criticised the party leadership.