Defamation plea: Gadkari, Digvijay come face to face in court

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Digvijay Singh today traded charges in a Delhi court which was hearing a defamation complaint filed by the BJP leader against the veteran Congressman who stood by his statement.
The proceedings began with Gadkari ruling out any possibility of reaching any compromise with Singh, saying he would not withdraw his complaint unless the Congress leader takes back his statement of 2012 on his alleged business links with the then MP Ajay Sancheti.
"I have nothing to do with Sancheti. If he (Singh) knows anything about it and gives any proof, I am ready to give all my shares to him. Otherwise he should take his statement back.

"My reputation is very high. Credibility is the biggest strength of a politician," Gadkari told Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha on being asked if there was any possibility for compromise in the matter.
Sticking to his stand, Singh, who has been summoned as an accused in the case, said, "In my life I have never withdrawn my statement".
The criminal defamation complaint was filed by Gadkari in 2012 against Singh, who had alleged that the former BJP chief had business links with the then MP Ajay Sancheti.

The magistrate had earlier issued bailable warrant against Singh for his failure to appear before it but later on cancelled it after he turned up and gave an undertaking to remain present in the court today.

It had also asked Gadkari to remain present in the court, saying otherwise it would dismiss his complaint.
Suggesting that the two politicians settle the matter, the magistrate said in public life one should rise above all this.
"You should rise above all this otherwise for how long will this go on," the magistrate said, adding that if they do not want to compromise, the court will proceed with framing notice against the accused.
To this Singh said, the court can go ahead with its proceedings.