Delhi HC notice to Kejriwal, others in defamation suit

New Delhi, Dec 22  The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders in a defamation suit filed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Joint Registrar K. Venugopal sought replies from Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas, Raghav Chadha, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Deepak Bajpai by February 5. 

The court said: "Issue notice to the defendants (AAP leaders). They have to file written statements within three weeks and, thereafter, in two weeks' time, the plaintiff (Jaitley) will file replication." 

While Chadha, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh and Bajpai were present in the court, Kejriwal and Vishwas were not. 

Jaitley has sought Rs.10 crore in damages following the Aam Aadmi Party leaders' statements on alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). 

Jaitley headed the DDCA for 13 years till 2013. 

The court also asked Kejriwal and other leaders to file original documents relating to the allegations. 

Jaitley has also filed a criminal defamation complaint in a Patiala House court, saying the statements of these leaders would cause "irreversible damage" to his reputation. 

Kejriwal has demanded that Jaitley must resign or be removed as the union minister to enable a free and fair probe into the DDCA issue.