HC issues notice to Smriti Irani on Nirupam's plea

The Delhi High Court today sought a response from BJP MP Smriti Irani on a plea filed by Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam challenging a trial court order summoning him in a criminal defamation complaint filed by her for allegedly using derogatory language against her during a TV debate last December.
The high court also granted Nirupam exemption from personal appearance before the trial court where he had to appear on July 18.
Justice Sunil Gaur issued a notice to Irani and also the state goverment seeking their replies by August 22 on a plea filed by Nirupam against the March 11 trial court order.

Nirupam's counsel told the court that if the whole text is read in proper perspective, it would only show that there was no defamation as alleged and the summoning order and the complaint is liable to be quashed.
He also contended people in public gaze are supposed to develop thick skin to public crticism and said his words have been pulled out in a manner that it does not give the entire context in which they were said.