A Delhi court has summoned Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi in connection with a defamation case filed by Delhi BJP's media head Praveen Shankar Kapoor. Atishi has been asked to appear before the court on June 29.
This case stems from allegations made by Atishi that the BJP attempted to bribe and poach AAP legislators.
Kapoor, who also named Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the defamation case, asserted that these allegations tarnished his and his party's reputation. The court, taking cognisance of the matter, identified Atishi as an accused and directed her to appear on June 29.
The BJP leader filed the defamation case on April 30, contending that AAP leaders failed to provide any evidence to support their claims of poaching.
In his court application, Kapoor referenced a social media post by Arvind Kejriwal, wherein the AAP leader alleged that the BJP had approached seven AAP MLAs and offered them Rs 25 crore to switch sides.
Kapoor also cited Atishi's assertion that she had been offered to join the BJP to safeguard her "political career," with the implication that she would be arrested by the Enforcement Directorate if she refused.
At a press conference in April, Atishi claimed, "The BJP has approached me through someone very close. They have asked me to join the BJP and said this will save my political career. They have threatened that if I don't switch over, ED will arrest me within a month."
She further alleged that she, along with party colleagues Saurabh Bharadwaj, Raghav Chadha, and Durgesh Pathak, would face arrest within two months.
In his petition, the BJP leader sought the retraction of Atishi's remarks and demanded an apology to be issued on television and social media.
