Defamation: Court slaps Rs10,000 fine on Gadkari

New Delhi, December 20

A Delhi court today imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for his failure to comply with its order in a criminal defamation case filed by him against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Metropolitan Magistrate (MM) Gomati Manocha observed that Gadkari had not complied with the court’s order regarding filing of an affidavit three days before the scheduled hearing today.

The court said the affidavit was to be supplied to Kejriwal’s counsel three days in advance but the same was done today only.

“In these circumstances, one last and final opportunity is being given to lead complainant evidence subject to cost of Rs 10,000,” the magistrate said and fixed the matter for March 21, 2015.

During the hearing, senior advocate Pinki Anand, appearing for Gadkari, told the court that they have supplied the copy of the affidavit to be filed to advocate Prashant Bhushan, who has been appearing for Kejriwal on December 18. But, advocate Rishikesh, who appeared for Kejriwal, told the court that he has been supplied the copy of the affidavit today only.

After Gadkari’s counsel told the magistrate that they have furnished the affidavit on court’s record on December 18, the magistrate said the court master was denying the same. “The file was not taken up. How was this affidavit filed without even knowledge of this court?” the magistrate said. — PTI