Delhi court slaps ₹5k costs on Somnath Bharti's wife in defamation case against Nirmala Sitharaman

A Delhi court today imposed costs of ₹5,000 on Lipika Mitra, the wife of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti, for non-appearance in her own defamation suit against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman [Lipika Mitra v. Nirmala Sitharaman].

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal noted that no counsel appeared on behalf of Mitra despite multiple calls and passovers. He thus imposed costs of ₹5,000 on Mitra.

“Still none is present on behalf of the complainant side and even none appeared on behalf of complainant side through VC. As per last order, date and time was fixed as per convenience of both the sides. In view of none appearance, cost of Rs.5,000/- is imposed on the complainant to be deposited with Central Delhi Court Bar Association,” the order stated.

The matter will be taken up next on August 2 at 2pm, on which date Mitra will have a last opportunity to make arguments and file a reply in the case.

Mitra has accused Sitharaman of "making and publishing defamatory, derogatory and libelous remarks in print and electronic media" against her and Bharti during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

It has been alleged that for political gains, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had wrongly spoken about alleged marital discord between Mitra and Bharti.

Bharti was AAP's candidate from the New Delhi parliamentary constituency for the 2024 elections. His wife has alleged that Sitharaman in a press conference had made defamatory utterances against Bharti to weaken his chances of winning the elections.

"Almost like every couple, the complainant and her husband had developed certain issues and the same though unfortunately, had got blown out of proportion resulting in media trial etc but courtesy well wishers of the family, the matter was finally settled in all aspects on May 7, 2019 and since then the complainant and her husband Mr. Somnath Bharti are living happily with children, a fact which was widely reported in the media and everyone had come to know of it but during the press conference, solely with an intent to hurt the complainant and her husband solely for political gains to BJP's candidate and political loss to the complainant's husband during 2024 Loksabha Election, the accused spoke about the matrimonial discord of the complainant and her husband but withheld the information of their reunion and living together happily," Mitra said in the complaint.

The complaint adds that Sitharaman's statements were aimed at tarnishing the reputation of her husband and damage his social standing and goodwill in the society.

Advocates Zoheb Hossain, Sanjeev Menon, Pranjal Tripathi and Ilma Khan appeared for Sitharaman.

[Read order]