The Delhi High Court has directed Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit to re-file his defamation lawsuit against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh, refusing to grant him additional time to deposit the required court fees.
Justice Purushaindra Kaurav, while hearing the matter on Tuesday, declined Dikshit’s counsel’s request for a two-week extension to arrange the court fees, citing its substantial amount. The court noted that an extension had been granted previously for the same purpose and dismissed the lawsuit at this stage.
“You file a fresh suit. The matter can’t be kept pending,” the judge remarked. The court further observed that without payment of the court fees, it could not proceed with the Rs 10 crore defamation claim. However, it granted liberty to Dikshit to re-file the case after fulfilling the payment requirements.
Dikshit had filed the defamation suit in January, seeking damages from the AAP leaders over allegations made against him during a press conference before the Delhi Assembly elections. The AAP leaders had accused Dikshit of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to undermine their party’s electoral prospects.
Dikshit, who contested against AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, contended that the allegations were baseless and had tarnished his reputation. Apart from the civil defamation suit, he has also filed a criminal complaint against Atishi and Sanjay Singh, which is scheduled to be heard on February 19.
