HC junks Azad's plea to reject defamation case against him

The Delhi High Court today refused to entertain a plea by suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad seeking rejection of a civil defamation suit filed against him by Hockey India president Narinder Dhruv Batra.
Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw also said parliamentary privileges apply only in Parliament and are confined to the House and its proceedings. These do not allow an MP to make defamatory statements outside Parliament.
"As far as the aspect of privilege is concerned, I am unable to read Article 105 as allowing a Member of Parliament to, outside Parliament, in the name/garb of being a representative of the people of his constituency or in public interest, make statements which are defamatory, without being liable therefor," the court observed.

It also said that it only gives immunity in respect of everything said in Parliament, but subject to the limitation that it should have been said during the sitting of the House and in the course of conduct of its business.
The MP had contended that he being a Member of Parliament, enjoyed qualified privilege.
Narinder Dhruv Batra and Hockey India had filed a suit against Azad seeking recovery of damages of Rs 10 crore for defamation and for permanent injunction restraining the defendant from defaming the plaintiffs in future.
Azad had alleged irregularities in the functioning of Hockey India, a charge denied by it.