[Delhi LG vs Aam Aadmi Party] Delhi HC Reserves Order In Defamation Suit Against AAP Leaders

The Delhi High Court on Thursday reserved its order on Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena's application seeking a restraining order against Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders with regard to their corruption allegations against him.

Justice Amit Bansal after hearing detailed arguments of senior counsels representing the parties said the order is reserved.

Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has filed a suit against Aam Aadmi Party and five of its senior leaders for accusing him of corruption while he was holding the post of the Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission during the time when demonetisation was announced in November 2016. In the interim, Saxena sought a restraining order against AAP and its five leaders. 

Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Saxena, before the bench earlier submitted that the allegations have been made against a high constitutional authority without any basis. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh also appeared for Saxena.

Saxena had earlier issued a notice to the AAP leaders on September 5 asking them to cease and desist from making or publishing or circulating alleged defamatory statements against him. In a legal notice issued to the party and its leaders, Saxena said AAP has built a false narrative to the effect that "he received and channelised demonetised currency" of Rs 1400 crores in each cash.

"In fact, AAP has, both directly and indirectly, through several third parties, gone ahead with a media blitzkrieg to build and spread its false narrative, and used all media platforms, social media and other media outlets to peddle its lies and perpetuate the damage to my Client's reputation," said Saxena in the notice sent through advocate Bani Dikshit.