AAP leader Somnath Bharti can't represent wife in defamation case: Nirmala Sitharaman to court
Citing 'conflict of interest', a lawyer representing Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Thursday, told a Delhi court that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti cannot legally represent his wife in a defamation case lodged against the FM.
Bharti's wife, Lipika Mitra, had filed a criminal defamation case against the BJP minister, accusing her of making 'defamatory, false, and malicious' statements about her husband. The complaint claimed the statements were aired widely on news platforms, both on TV and YouTube, with the alleged objective of 'tarnishing his reputation and damaging his electoral prospects' during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Appearing before the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal, Sitharaman counsel argued that Bharti – an advocate – representing his wife in the case would amount to a 'conflict of interest'.
The counsel also sought the withdrawal of Bharti's vakalatnama (a document authorising a lawyer to represent a client). Failure to comply, the counsel stated, would lead to disciplinary proceedings being initiated against him.
The case pertains to a press conference addressed by Sitharaman on May 17, 2024. 'The accused made these utterances with the sole intention to weaken his chances of winning and cause immense mental anguish to him,' Mitra alleged in her complaint. She also argued that the alleged statements made by Sitharaman had caused 'irreparable mental agony' to the couple's two children.
Bharti had sought time to respond to the allegations levelled by Sitharaman counsel. Following this, the matter was adjourned and listed after summer vacations. ACJM Dalal will now hear the matter on July 16.
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