The Delhi High Court Friday stayed the proceedings towards BJP spokesperson and media relations incharge Harish Khurana and others earlier than a trial courtroom in a defamation case filed towards them by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Sisodia had filed a defamation criticism towards six individuals, together with Khurana, for allegedly levelling corruption fees towards him.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma issued a discover and sought Sisodia’s response to a petition filed by Khurana difficult the trial courtroom’s November 28, 2019 order summoning him as an accused in the defamation case.

The excessive courtroom additionally issued a discover to Aam Aadmi Party chief Sisodia on the appliance to remain the proceedings earlier than the trial courtroom.

“Issue notice. Respondent may file reply to the petition and the stay application. In the meanwhile, the proceedings qua the present petitioner (Khurana) be stayed,” the excessive courtroom mentioned.

It listed the matter for additional listening to on March 10, when the petitions by co-accused BJP leaders Hans Raj Hans and Manjinder Singh Sirsa are additionally listed.

On January 5, the excessive courtroom had stayed the proceedings towards Hans, a member of Parliament, and Sirsa, an MLA, in the case.

The trial courtroom had on November 28, 2019 handed an order summoning the six individuals as accused in the prison defamation case.

Sisodia had filed the criticism towards BJP leaders — Members of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Hans Raj Hans and Pravesh Verma, MLAs Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Vijender Gupta and BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana — for allegedly making corruption fees towards him with regard to “inflated” cost of construction of classrooms in Delhi government schools.

Khurana’s counsel submitted before the high court that the proceedings against Hans and Sirsa were stayed on January 5 and a similar order be passed on his petition. Sisodia’s counsel opposed the petition.

The accused were earlier granted bail after they appeared before the trial court.

The AAP leader had filed the complaint under section 200 of the CrPC for commission of offences under sections 499 and 500 read with Sections 34 and 35 of the IPC for making false and defamatory statements in print, electronic and social media.

Sisodia had rejected the allegations made by the BJP leaders, jointly and individually, as “false, defamatory and derogatory”. He claimed the accusations had been made with an intention to hurt and injury his repute and goodwill.

The offence of defamation entails a most punishment of two years.

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