Arun Jaitley defamation case against Arvind Kejriwal: In fresh trouble for Delhi chief Minister, Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought AAP convener’s response on a fresh plea filed by the Union Finance Minister. (PTI image)

Arun Jaitley defamation case against Arvind Kejriwal: In fresh trouble for Delhi chief Minister, Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought AAP convener’s response on a fresh plea filed by the Union Finance Minister. The plea sought action against Kejriwal for allegedly filing a false affidavit that he had not instructed his counsel to use derogatory words against the Jaitley. It has been learnt that Justice Manmohan issued a notice to Kejriwal and sought his response within four weeks. It has been learnt that the judge has listed the matter for December 11.

Notably, Jaitley had filed a Rs 10 crore defamation suit against Kejriwal and five other AAP leaders. In a fresh application, Jaitley said that Kejriwal had filed a reply denying that he had instructed his senior lawyer to make derogatory comments. However, this was opposed by his former counsel Ram Jethmalani two days later. Senior advocates Rajiv Nayar and Sandeep Sethi, appearing for the Union finance minister, urged the court to allow them to file a criminal complaint against Kejriwal for making a false statement and filing a false affidavit.

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Union Minister Arun Jaitley files application seeking perjury proceedings against Kejriwal for allegedly filing a false affidavit before HC pic.twitter.com/ys965yKeta

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On August 5 Jaitley had charged Kejriwal with making “a series of false, scandalous and defamatory allegations” with regard to the alleged DDCA controversy which had “adversely impacted” his reputation. During a stormy proceeding in a Delhi court, the chief minister and five other AAP leaders, facing criminal defamation case lodged by the union minister, attempted in vain to get the recording of Jaitley’s testimony stalled on grounds including that Kejriwal has had to engage a senior lawyer to replace noted jurist Ram Jethmalani, who had had a bitter fallout with him recently. Besides the Chief Minister, AAP leaders — Ashutosh, Kumar Vishwas and Sanjay Singh, also sought adjournment on the ground that their lawyers were unwell.