Digvijay Singh vs Uma Bharti, Chouhans vs Sonia Gandhi: When politicians ‘defame’ each other

A defamation suit filed this week on behalf of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan against Congress spokesman K K Mishra is part of a trend. A look at recent defamation suits filed by or on behalf on politicians in MP:

Digvijay Singh vs Uma Bharti

Ahead of the 2003 assembly elections, Uma Bharti, then the BJP?s chief ministerial candidate, had accused Digvijaya Singh of amassing Rs 15,000 crore during his two stints as CM. Digvijaya dragged her to court. More than a decade later, the case is still under trial. Bharti, who won a handsome victory in the 2003 elections, was exasperated about repeatedly appearing in court. In 2012, she sought exemption from court appearances saying she had become an MLA from Uttar Pradesh.

Chouhans vs Ajay

Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his wife Sadhna Singh filed a criminal defamation case against then leader of the opposition Ajay Singh for alleging that they were corrupt and for comparing her with a cash-counting machine. Ajay, the son of former MP chief minister and union HRD minister Arjun Singh, had reportedly made those remarks at two separate rallies in June 2013. The compensation sought was Rs 1 crore (to be used for victims of natural calamities). The court was about to issue a warrant against Ajay for non-appearance before his counsel sought more time. The next hearing is scheduled for July 14.

Chouhans vs Sonia

In November 2013, a Delhi-based legal firm, on behalf of Chouhan and Sadhna Singh, served legal notices on Sonia Gandhi and then MPCC chief Kantilal Bhuria for publishing a defamatory advertisement in newspapers ahead of the assembly elections. Though the advertisement did not name the couple, the silhouettes with the backdrop of currency notes under the caption ?Munkhiya Ke Munh Par Tala, Lalchi Parivar Ne Madhya Pradesh Loot Dala?? were perceived as having resembled the Chouhans. The Congress never responded; the Chouhans never followed it up.

Chouhan vs Mishra

This is the latest case. Congress spokesman K K Mishra alleged that 19 persons from Sadhna Singh?s home in Gondia had been illegally recruited as constables in the transport department. CM Chouhan tweeted that ?I won?t take it kindly?? and asked the government to file a case. The prosecution said the unsubstantiated allegations had lowered the dignity of a person holding a constitutional post. The court will take a call on its admissibility on June 26.