The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued summons to Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra in a defamation lawsuit filed by her former partner Jai Dehadrai.
Moitra has been asked to respond to Dehadrai’s defamation plea and his request for a temporary injunction.
During the hearing, the court questioned whether Dehadrai’s defamation suit was triggered by Moitra’s rejection of his plea for an interim injunction in her own defamation suit against him. The court noted that the alleged defamatory actions occurred over two months ago.
“When defamation is two months old, an ex parte order without an opportunity is given only in cases of extreme urgency. In case like this, where you have come in two months after, what is the urgency that’s there?” Justice Jalan asked.
“It’s a little difficult to paint yourself as a victim in a case of this nature, here both are warring parties,” the court remarked.
Dehadrai’s lawyer explained that his client has faced a barrage of online abuse, resulting in a loss of clients and work opportunities. Dehadrai himself addressed the court, expressing the impact of the derogatory statements on his family.
The court granted Mahua Moitra two weeks to respond to Dehadrai’s defamation suit.
“I will control priority of cases in my court. You have come 2.5 months after alleged defamation!” Justice Jalan said.
Dehadrai’s counsel also presented additional evidence, including an email from Moitra to Dehadrai, alleging that while Moitra has called Dehadrai ‘jilted’, the email establishes that the relationship was being insisted from the other (Mahua Moitra’s) side.
Dehadrai’s lawsuit seeks damages for defamatory statements made by Moitra in various media, including social and electronic platforms, accusing him of being “jobless” and “jilted.”
The suit also requests a permanent injunction to remove defamatory content from the internet and social media platforms.
Source Agencies
