A Delhi court on Saturday imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for his failure to comply with its order in a criminal defamation case filed by him against former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Metropolitan Magistrate Gomati Manocha observed that Gadkari had not complied with the court's order regarding filing of an affidavit three days before the scheduled hearing on Saturday.
The court said the affidavit was to be supplied to Kejriwal's counsel three days in advance but the same was done on Saturday. "In these circumstances, one last and final opportunity is being given to lead complainant evidence subject to cost of Rs 10,000," the magistrate said and fixed the matter for March 21, 2015.
During the hearing, senior advocate Pinki Anand, appearing for Gadkari, told the court that they have supplied the copy of the affidavit to be filed to advocate Prashant Bhushan, who has been appearing for Kejriwal on December 18. But, advocate Rishikesh, who appeared for Kejriwal, told the court that he has been supplied the copy of the affidavit on Saturday.
After Gadkari's counsel told the magistrate that they have furnished the affidavit on court's record on December 18, the magistrate said the court master was denying the same. "The file was not taken up. How was this affidavit filed without even knowledge of this court? If you were filing an affidavit then it has to come on the record of the court. Ahlmad (the court master) is denying that affidavit has been filed before him," the magistrate said.
As the court imposed the cost on Gadkari, his counsel said it was "unfair" as the affidavit was received at Bhushan's office on December 18 itself. "You cannot take the court for a ride. I am saying that compliance has not been done. Do not create a ruckus in the court. The order has been passed and you can challenge it," the magistrate told lawyers appearing for Gadkari. The matter was listed for cross-examination of Gadkari.
During the hearing, Gadkari's counsel submitted to the court that it should record in the order that the affidavit was received at Bhushan's office on December 18. The court noted the same in its order sheet.
Kejriwal was arrested and sent to Tihar on May 21 after he had refused to furnish bail bond in the case but gave it within a week and was released. The court had earlier allowed Kejriwal's plea seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance. The court had framed defamation charges against
Kejriwal after both the parties told it that they have not reached at any settlement in the case.
Section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code, being a compoundable offence, the court had advised Kejriwal to bury the hatchet and amicably settle the issue with Gadkari.
Gadkari had earlier told the court that he was ready to resolve the issue if Kejriwal withdraws his statement. Kejriwal, however, had refused to withdraw his statement and allegations which he had levelled against Gadkari.
Kejriwal had been summoned as an accused by the court in the defamation complaint in which Gadkari had alleged that he was defamed by the Aam Aadmi Party leader who had included his name in the party's list of "India's most corrupt".
Gadkari had earlier told the court, "I am an honest politician and damage has been caused to my reputation by the defamatory allegation levelled against me by Kejriwal. I don't have any personal enmity against Kejriwal."
Kejriwal had pleaded not guilty to the offence and claimed a trial.
Image: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
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