AAP leader Sanjay Singh apologises, let off in defamation case

NEW DELHI: AAP leader Sanjay Singh was on Wednesday

acquitted

in a

defamation case

filed by

BJP youth wing member

Ankit Bhardwaj after the former tendered an

apology

.

The two men moved an application jointly stating that they have settled the matter following Singh’s apology. Their statements were recorded and the application seeking to withdraw the case was allowed by additional chief metropolitan magistrate Samar Vishal.


The court had framed the notice under IPC sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation) against Singh. Bhardwaj had alleged that he was defamed after Singh, in a television interview, and Kejriwal in a tweet named him as the one who assaulted Kapil Mishra on May 10, 2017. The attacker had reportedly identified himself as Ankit Bhardwaj, an AAP member. An AAP volunteer later claimed the man was a member of BJP’s youth wing, which was denied by BJP.

“I have recently discovered that the information and imputation contained in my interview are unfounded and false as the identity of the complainant was misunderstood by me because the name of the assailant was also the same. I had no intention to harm the reputation of Ankit Bhardwaj. Therefore, I unequivocally withdraw all the allegations made by me whether in print media, electronic media or otherwise. I offer my sincere apology for any harm caused to his reputation as a consequence of my allegations,” Singh said.

Earlier, the court had refused to summon Kejriwal saying, “There is no witness on behalf of the complainant who says that due to this tweet his reputation was lowered.”