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NEW DELHI: Chief minister Sheila Diksh*t was slapped with a fine of Rs 3,000 by the Delhi high court on Friday for failing to file a reply in a defamation suit filed by her against state BJP chief Vijender Gupta. Justice Kailash Gambhir imposed the fine as Diksh*t's counsel sought further adjournment of the case, saying they needed more time to file the reply to Gupta's contention questioning the high court's power to hear her defamation suit against him. Giving last opportunity to Diksh*t's counsel, Justice Kailash Gambhir posted the matter for March 15. Gupta's counsel, Ajay Digpaul, opposed Dikshi's plea, pointing out that for the past four hearings, her counsel had sought adjournment without filing the reply to Gupta's plea. The CM has filed the suit against Gupta for allegedly erecting hoardings across the city accusing her government of corruption in deciding the new power tariff and conniving with the private discoms. Diksh*t has demanded a token Re 1 as damages in her suit. She has alleged that the BJP under Gupta's leadership erected hoardings in June 2010, which said her government had "openly looted thousands of crores of rupees". The suit says Gupta got hoardings put up, accusing the Congress government in Delhi of misrepresenting facts before the Delhiites on the power tariff. The advertisements also claimed that DERC was going to recommend reduction in the tariff but the "chief minister came in the way". Diksh*t moved court after Gupta refused to tender a "public apology for the slander" as demanded by her. Gupta had maintained that he would reply in court. |
| SOURCE: The Times of India |
