Kolkata: A special court of MPs and MLAs in West Bengal on Friday summoned Union Home Minister Amit Shah to appear before it in connection with a defemation case filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and Chief Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee. As per reports, the court has asked Shah to either appear before it personally or through a lawyer before February 22. ALSO READ | Jammu & Kashmir: 2 Policemen Martyred As Militants Open Fire In Srinagar; Second Attack In 3 Days
The special judge of MP/MLA court at Bidhannagar directed that former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief is "required to appear in person/by pleader" at 10 am on or before February 22.
The case relates back to the allegations levied against Abhishek Banerjee by Amit Shah during a rally in August 2018. During BJP's 'Yuva Swabhiman Smavesh Rally' on August 11, 2018, Home Minister had reportedly accused Abhishek Banerjee of corruption.
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The special court judge directed that Shah's attendance either personally or through a lawyer is necessary to answer to a charge of defamation under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
TMC MP's lawyer Sanjay Basu claimed that Shah had made certain defamatory statements against his client on August 11, 2018 at a rally of the BJP at Mayo Road in Kolkata.