A Delhi court has issued a notice to BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj in connection with a defamation case filed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendra Jain. The court has scheduled a hearing for April 15, following Jain’s appeal against a prior decision which had dismissed his complaint.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh took action after Jain challenged a trial court’s refusal to recognize his complaint alleging that Swaraj had made defamatory statements against him in a televised interview on October 5, 2023. During the interview, Swaraj accused Jain of corruption, claiming that ₹3 crore, 1.8 kg of gold, and 133 gold coins were found at his residence.
Jain, who vehemently denies these allegations, argued that Swaraj’s statements were intentionally slanderous, designed to tarnish his reputation and provide her with undue political leverage. He further contended that calling him “corrupt” and a “fraud” during the interview had damaged his public image and personal integrity.
The notice issued by the Delhi court is the latest development in this legal battle, where Jain seeks to hold Swaraj accountable under criminal defamation law, which carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison.
