DDCA scam: Jaitley sues Kejriwal for Rs 10 cr, 'will not be frightened', retorts Delhi CM
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Arun Jaitley to prove his innocence in court after the Union Finance Minister filed a criminal defamation complaint against Kejriwal and five other leaders of AAP for 'defaming' him in the DDCA controversy.
Kejriwal in a tweet said that the Aam Aadmi Party would not be frightened by the court case filed by Jaitley and that they would continue to fight against corruption.
Jaitley ji shud cooperate wid the Commission of Enquiry n prove his innocence there
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 21, 2015Jaitley has sought Rs 10 crore as damages from Kejriwal and other AAP leaders -- Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpayee -- for their alleged defamatory remarks.
Jaitley's action comes in the backdrop of attacks on him by Kejriwal and other AAP leaders over alleged irregularities and financial bunglings in Delhi's cricket body, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), of which he was the president for about 13 years till 2013.
He appeared in the Patiala House Court on Monday to record his statement against the AAP leaders.
"The present complaint has been filed in personal capacity. On perusing the material on record, I take cognizance of the offences. Matter be now put up for complainant evidence on January 5," Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjay Khanagwal said.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, who appeared for Jaitley, told the court that the accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have made completely baseless and defamatory allegations against the Finance Minister regarding alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
"Mr. Jaitley has not drawn a single penny from the DDCA. Completely baseless and defamatory allegations have been levelled against him and his family members," Luthra said.
During the 35-minute long hearing, Jaitley and various other top leaders of BJP, including Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu, J P Nadda, Smriti Irani, Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore were present in the court.
Court took cognizance on Jaitley's complaint and fixed January 5 for recording complainant's evidence.
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As the political slugfest over DDCA affairs intensified between AAP and Jaitley, the party hit back at the Finance Minister saying it will file an FIR against him today.
"I will file an FIR against @arunjaitley and others tomorrow," AAP leader Sanjay Singh tweeted.
The Aam Aadmi Party had alleged that large amounts were siphoned off through fake companies besides other irregularities including in team selection.
Upping the ante against Jaitley, AAP pressed for his immediate removal from the Union Cabinet and said it would not be "bogged down by such intimadatory tactics".
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AAP government also announced a Commission of Inquiry to go into alleged irregularities in Delhi and District Cricket Association.
AAP leaders quoted from reports of Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), DDCA's internal probe committee and a Delhi Government-appointed inquiry panel, accused Jaitley of giving "direct and indirect" consent to "massive corruption" in the cricket body.
Kejriwal and the five AAP leaders have publicly been making allegations against Jaitley and his family members with regard to the DDCA affairs.
