Kejriwal seeks rejection of DDCA defamation suit

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved the Delhi High Court seeking rejection of a defamation suit filed by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) against him for his alleged remarks about its functioning and finances.

The Aam Aadmi Party convener has sought rejection of the suit by the DDCA, claiming it is not maintainable as the alleged defamatory statement “does not contain any imputation concerning any persons whose identity can be established”. The court posted the case for hearing on September 25. The application by the AAP leader claims the suit was liable to be rejected as it does not disclose any cause of action.

Breach of principles

“This suit is a clear breach of the principles of common law on defamation stating that a corporation cannot sue for the alleged crimes which cannot be committed by a corporation...A corporation cannot sue in respect of an imputation of murder, or incest, or adultery, or sexual harassment because it could not commit those crimes. Hence, the plaint is liable to be rejected on the same ground,” the application read. It also said that even if it is defamation of the officers of the DDCA, it does not amount to defamation of the cricketing body itself.

Damages sought

The DDCA and its former treasurer Ravinder Manchanda, who jointly filed the suit, have sought ₹2.5 crore each from Mr. Kejriwal and suspended BJP MP Kirti Azad as damages for the allegations against the cricketing body regarding financial irregularities and corruption in selections at the junior level. They have claimed in their plea that the allegations were “maligning the image” of the cricket body.