HC gives more time to Delhi CM, BJP leader to settle dispute

"Devise a mechanism to resolve the issue amicably. This is not an issue which should be stretched further," Justice Kailash Gambhir said after being informed by the lawyers for two leaders that they could not sit across to settle the case.

BJP's Delhi unit president Vijender Gupta, meanwhile, filed an application seeking dismissal of the case saying that the fair criticism of the government was part of a democracy.

"The statement was made against the government and nothing personal was said against the chief minister," said senior advocate Aman Lekhi, appearing for Gupta.

Lekhi, however, opposed the contention of Dikshit's lawyer that he was willing to withdraw the petition if the BJP leader gives an undertaking that he will desist from making uncivilised remarks against the CM in future.

"The mere giving of such an undertaking would amount to admitting that in the past I had made uncivilised remarks," Lekhi responded and added that this was an unprecedented suit, where CM had come to the court against fair criticism by an opposition leader.

The court after a brief hearing, asked the counsel for both parties to sit across table and resolve the case within two weeks and fixed the matter for further hearing on May 2.

The court earlier on March 15 had asked counsel to sit together and persuade their clients to resolve the matter by April 24. (MORE) PTI SJK HMP