ASG Maninder Singh argues for Smriti Irani in quashing defamation summons

HRD Minister Smriti Irani today approached the Delhi High Court for quashing of summons issued in a defamation case filed against her by Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam..Nirupam had moved a lower court in this regard, with his complaint stating that Irani had made “defamatory and scurrilous comments” against him, during a TV debate. Following this, the Metropolitan Magistrate had issued summons to Irani and sought her appearance before the Court in September..Nirupam’s counsel RK Handoo today requested the Court to re-notify the matter at a later date, stating that he had not been served a copy of the present petition seeking quashing. He submitted that since he was the complainant, he ought to have been served the papers by Irani..Handoo also said that he was not entering an appearance through advance notice as he was informed only through media reports that such a petition was moved in the High Court..ASG Maninder Singh appearing for Irani submitted before the Single Bench of Justice Suresh Kait that Nirupam’s complaint was nothing but a “counter blast” against a complaint that Irani herself had filed against him. Irani’s complaint, argued Singh, also arose out of the comments made by Nirupam against her during the same TV debate..Singh further argued that while filing his complaint before the lower court, Nirupam had specifically disclosed the fact that there was indeed a complaint pending against him as well..“I filed a complaint based on the words exchanged during the TV debate. Nirupam prayed for a protection before the Court in the said complaint but failed to get any. So this complaint of his is nothing but a counter blast and is false,” argued Singh..Justice Kait issued notice to Nirupam on Irani’s plea and exempted her from personal appearance before the trial court. The controversial comments alleged to be made by both parties were exchanged in a TV show debate that took place following the announcement of the Gujarat Assembly Polls result in December 2012..The Bench, after directing the petition copies to be served on Nirupam’s counsel, adjourned the matter to August 13.