SC asks HC to decide on AAP leader’s petition

New Delhi, Sept. 15: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Delhi high court to decide by September 25 the plea of AAP leader Raghav Chadha against a trial court order summoning him as an accused in the criminal defamation case filed by Union minister Arun Jaitley.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said the parties shall appear before the high court on September 18 with a copy of the apex court’s order and the matter shall be argued on September 19.

“We are only inclined to request the single judge of the high court to prepone the date of hearing and finalise the petition filed under section 482 CrPC on or before September 25,” the bench, also comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, said.

Senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for Chadha, told the apex court that the high court had listed the matter for hearing in October and not stayed the proceedings going on before the trial court.

He alleged that he had not sought any adjournment

The top court asked the Delhi HC to decide by Sept. 25 the plea of AAP leader Raghav Chadha against a trial court order summoning him as an accused in the defamation case filed by Union minister Arun Jaitley

before the high court but it was “put into my mouth that I have sought adjournment for four weeks”.

“Videography should be ordered. Arguments cannot be recorded like this.

“This should not happen. It is very unfair,” Mr Grover said.

Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the respondent, questioned Chadha’s move to approach the apex court against the high court’s order.

“If a judge finds that there is no ground and says I will hear it and fixes it for hearing, then where is the ground of appeal against this,” Mr Rohatgi said.