The Delhi high court on Friday imposed a fine of `3,000 on chief minister Sheila Dikshit for failing to file a reply in a defamation suit filed by her against BJP leader Vijender Gupta.
Justice Kailash Gambhir slapped the fine after giving a “last opportunity” to Ms Dikshit to file her reply to Mr Gupta’s contention questioning the high court’s power to hear the defamation suit against him. The judge posted the matter for March 15.
As Ms Dikshit’s counsel sought adjournment of the case seeking more time to file the reply, Mr Gupta’s counsel Ajay Digpaul said for the last four hearings, the chief minister had only sought adjournments without filing the reply to Mr Gupta’s plea challenging her defamation suit against him on the ground that it was “not maintainable” in the high court.
The chief minister has filed the suit against Mr Gupta, demanding a token `1 as damages, for allegedly erecting hoardings across the city accusing her government of corruption in determination of new power tariff and conniving with private discoms.
Ms Dikshit had alleged that the BJP under Mr Gupta’s leadership erected hoardings in June 2010 which said her government had “openly looted thousands of crores of rupees”.
According to the suit, the hoardings put up by Mr Gupta accuse the Sheila Dikshit government of misrepresenting facts before the people of the city on power tariff.
The advertisements also claimed that the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) was going to recommend reduction in power tariff, but the “chief minister came in the way”.
Ms Dikshit moved court after Mr Gupta refused to tender a public apology for the slander as demanded by her. Mr Gupta had maintained that he would reply in court.