The Delhi High Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on two separate petitions by Union Minister Smriti Irani and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, seeking quashing of the summons issued to them in cross-defamation complaints filed against each other.
Summons
In her plea, Ms. Irani has sought quashing of the summons issued to her by a trial court on June 6, 2014.
The Union Minister has also sought quashing of the complaint filed by Mr. Nirupam.
The Congress leader, in turn, has challenged a local court’s March 11, 2013, order summoning him in Ms. Irani’s defamation complaint.
He has also sought quashing of the January 1, 2013 complaint filed by the Minister.
‘Scurrilous comments’
Mr. Nirupam had filed the complaint against Ms. Irani alleging that on December 20, 2012, when the Gujarat Assembly poll results were announced, the BJP leader had made “defamatory and scurrilous comments” against him during a television debate.
‘Derogatory language’
Ms. Irani had subsequently filed a complaint against Mr. Nirupam for allegedly defaming her during the same debate on a private television news channel.
The court had framed charges against the Congress leader for using derogatory and indecent language against her.