The Delhi high court on Saturday observed that senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Madan Lal Khurana's allegations of corruption against Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were defamatory.
The court has asked the leader to adduce evidence to defend himself in the defamation suit filed by Dikshit, wherein she has claimed symbolic damages of Rs 101 from Khurana for the 'harm' caused to her reputation.
"The allegations made in the statement dated September 3, 2003 (by Khurana) are per se defamatory," Justice T S Thakur said in his order framing issues in the case.
According to the court, the allegation that the Dikshit government had 'in a devious and scandalous manner released Rs 105 crore in favour of private companies is defamatory assuming that Dikshit can claim compensation on the basis of any such allegation'.
"More importantly, the allegation that the plaintiff (Dikshit) received Rs 15 crore from the said private companies towards funds for fighting the assembly elections is also defamatory," the court said.
Interestingly, in his written statement filed in the court, Khurana admitted that he released the statement and a letter addressed to party leader L K Advani, which was carried by a section of the press. He, however, claimed the statement was made in public interest.
