BSP releases list of 11 more candidates, replaces nominees for Varanasi, Firozabad
This is the sixth list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections the party announced on Friday.
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
New Delhi, 6 August
A city court today framed criminal defamation charges against ex-Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta in a complaint filed by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Gupta, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
“Charge under section 500 IPC (defamation) is framed against the accused (Gupta) to which he pleads not guilty and claims trial,” said the metropolitan magistrate, Namrita Aggarwal.
On 1 July, the court had found that prima facie an offence of defamation is made out against Gupta.
The court also directed Dikshit to appear before it on 28 October to record her evidence against Gupta.
The said order came on a complaint filed by Dikshit against Gupta alleging that he had used “uncivilised” language against her in the run up to the MCD polls last year while accusing her of helping and conniving with power companies.
However, in the court today, Gupta pleaded not guilty to the charge and said: “I am feeling humiliated. If you (court) go through the interview, nowhere have I used any defamatory word against the Chief Minister. If I am guilty, put me in jail right away.”
Meanwhile, the counsel for Dikshit moved an exemption application which was opposed by Gupta’s counsel Ajay Burman saying the date of hearing was already in her knowledge and, therefore, there was no ground for her to seek exemption.
“I am being harassed as the Chief Minister gets exemption whenever she wants without citing proper reasons while I have to give minor details for seeking an exemption,” said Gupta.
The BJP leader said when he seeks exemption from appearance, he is acted against while the CM is allowed non-appearance. To this, the court assured him that coercive action would also be taken against Dikshit if she fails to appear on the next date of hearing.
“As on next date her evidence is to be recorded…. Therefore, whenever the court requires attendance of either the accused or the complainant, they will have to come before it. That court does not favour anyone,” said the court.
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