Delhi HC Refuses to Quash Kejriwal Defamation Case

The Delhi High Court refused to quash defamation proceedings against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders, including Atishi, Sushil Kumar Gupta, and Manoj Kumar. The case, initiated by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar, centers on allegations that AAP leaders defamed BJP by claiming it orchestrated the deletion of 30 lakh voters' names from electoral rolls, particularly from 'Baniya', Muslim, and other communities. Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta dismissed the AAP leaders' plea, stating that their remarks appeared prima facie defamatory and intended to harm the BJP's reputation. The high court vacated its interim stay order and directed the parties to appear before the trial court on October 3. The AAP leaders had argued that their statements did not specifically target Babbar or his party and were made in good faith for public interest, but the court found these claims insufficient to warrant dismissing the defamation proceedings.