New Delhi, Aug 28: A Delhi Court on Monday, after hearing an application of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for his acquittal in a defamation case filed by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has adjourned the further proceedings till September 6.
Shekhawat had filed a defamation complaint before the District court of Rouse Avenue, New Delhi against Gehlot by submitting that the latter has defamed and falsely accused him of being involved in the Rs 900 crore Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam.
He contended that his name did not appear anywhere when the Rajasthan government investigated the matter.
It is alleged by Shekhawat that the accused, by way of press conferences, media report/social media posts, etc. has publicly stated that not only the complainant, his family members are accused in the Sanjivani scam.
His counsel had alleged that the accused has on different occasions addressed the media and has also uploaded videos and posts on his social media accounts in order to maliciously defame the complainant by way of false statements, particularly stating that the allegations against the complainant and his family members in Sanjivani scam stand proved.
The crime, of misappropriation/embezzlement of money belonging to poor and innocent investors, has been proved against the complainant.
Shekhawat requested to court that Gehlot be prosecuted for criminal defamation defined under the provisions of Indian Penal Code(IPC) and sought an appropriate financial compensation for the loss of his reputation.
The court has passed an order on issuance of summon under section 499 and 500 Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Gehlot for appearance before the court and now the matter was listed for scrutiny of the documents.
Counsel for the Shekhawat today supplied the copy of the complaint and the corresponding documents in the court and informed to the court that the copy of the videos/photographs, relied upon at the stage of presummoning evidence, have been supplied in the form of pendrive.
Counsel for Gehlot moved an application today under section 256 of Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.) by seeking the acquittal in the case and supplied the copies to complainant.
At this stage, counsel for complainant objected to the supply of the copies.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal after hearing said, ” Ld. Counsel for the complainant has objected to the exercise of supply of copies. Objection not found to be meritorious. Be put up for scrutiny of documents/arguments on the pending application/further proceedings on 06.09.2023 at 11:00 AM”.
“As per the directions of the High Court of Delhi, vide circular no.1(2 30)/RG/DHC/ 2023, Ld. Counsels are at liberty to join through Video Conferencing”, the Court said.
