Jaitley, Kejriwal, 3 Others File Joint Plea In Delhi HC For Compromise Of Defamation Suit [Read Application]

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his three aides on Monday moved a joint application before the Delhi High Court for compromise of the Rs 10 crore defamation suit initiated by the senior BJP leader for allegations made against him by AAP leaders for corruption in the Delhi and District Cricket Association during his tenure as the president of the sporting body.

Jaitley’s counsel Manik Dogra informed the court that he did not wish to prosecute the suit against Kejriwal, and his aides Ashutosh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpai as he has accepted the unconditional apology tendered by them on Sunday.

“On April 1, the defendant nos. 1, 2, 5 and 6 have individually tendered an unqualified apology to the plaintiff. Each of the defendants has offered a sincere apology to the plaintiff and his family members for any harm caused to plaintiff’s reputation as a consequence of the allegations made by the said defendants,” the joint application moved under Order XXIII Rule 3 of Civil Procedure Code said.

“The plaintiff has accepted the apology tendered by Defendant no. 1, 2, 5 and 6 and in view thereof does not wish to further prosecute the suit against the said defendants,” Dogra said.

The matter was mentioned before Justice Manmohan in light of Jaitley accepting the apology and is noe likely to come up on Tuesday.

Jaitley, Kejriwal and the three AAP leaders have prayed the court to pass a decree in the light of the apology.

Another AAP leader Sanjay Singh also moved a separate application for compromise.

The suit, which is at the stage of cross-examination of Jaitley’s witnesses, will, however, continue against Kumar Vishwas.

It is to be noted that Kejriwal had, in his April 1 letter to Jaitley, said, “I had made certain statements about you in December 2015 and thereafter in connection with your tenure as the President of the Delhi and District Cricket Association. These allegations also form part of the subject matter of proceedings currently pending adjudication before the Delhi High Court and Patiala House Court”.

“…these allegations made by me were based on information and papers furnished before me by certain individuals who represented to have firsthand insight into the affairs of DGCA. However, I have recently discovered that the information and the imputations contained therein are unfounded and unwarranted and I was clearly misinformed into making these allegations. Therefore, I unequivocally withdraw all the allegations made by me in question whether in print, electronic or social media against you.  I offer my sincere apology to you and your family members for any harm caused to your reputation as a consequence of my allegations”.

He also reiterated that the disparaging statements made by Ram Jethmalani during the examination in the civil suit pending before the Delhi High Court were made without his knowledge or instructions.

“Though we belong to two different political parties, I believe that we should end the unsavory litigations between us and serve the people of our country to the best of our abilities,” Kejriwal had said in his letter.

Read the Application Here