New Delhi: A Rouse Avenue court on Saturday granted BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj a week’s time to file documents in response to a defamation complaint by AAP leader and former minister Satyendra Jain.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Mittal listed the matter for further hearing on January 13. Swaraj was represented by her counsel during the proceedings.
The court had issued a notice to Swaraj on December 16 regarding the complaint. Advocate Siddhesh Kotwal, appearing for Swaraj, requested two weeks to compile and submit the required documents, citing that the case was at the precognizance stage where a detailed response was not yet necessary. However, the court deemed two weeks excessive and granted only a week.
Satyendra Jain has filed both criminal and civil defamation cases against Bansuri Swaraj.
Advocates Rajat Bhardwaj, Mohd. Irshad, and Kaustubh Khanna appeared on Jain’s behalf. On December 10, the court scheduled the complaint for an order on pre-summoning evidence and notice. It also noted that Jain should present pre-summoning evidence before a formal notice is issued.
Jain’s defamation complaint relates to remarks made by Bansuri Swaraj during a televised interview on October 5, 2023. He alleges that her statements were defamatory and politically motivated. The comments were reportedly made in connection with an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at Jain’s residence, where he is currently out on bail.
Jain claims that Swaraj falsely stated that Rs.3 crores in cash, 1.8 kg of gold, and 133 gold coins were seized from his home. He further accuses Swaraj of calling him ‘Corrupt’ and ‘Fraud’ and making other baseless and malicious allegations. Jain asserts that these remarks severely damaged his reputation, not only as a public figure but also in his personal life, affecting his roles as a husband, father, brother, and friend.
According to Jain, the defamatory remarks were broadcast to a large audience, causing significant harm to his image as an elected representative and as an individual. He maintains that the smear campaign inflicted irreparable damage to his character.
With the court’s directive for Bansuri Swaraj to file the necessary documents within a week, the next hearing on January 13 will determine the subsequent steps in the defamation case.