Arvind Kejriwal, Kirti Azad settle defamation row with DDCA

The Delhi High Court noted that both defendants (Kejriwal and Azad) have withdrawn their allegedly defamatory statements, for which DDCA had sought compensation of Rs 2.5 crore from each of them

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad informed the Delhi Court on Friday about the settlement of defamation case by the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) against them. They told Justice R S Endlaw that they are withdrawing their allegedly defamatory statements against DDCA.

At the same time, the association too has confirmed the court about the withdrawal of its Rs 5 crore defamation suit against the two.

Kejriwal's lawyer, Anupam Shrivastava, handed over in court to the DDCA counsel, Pradeep Chhindra, a letter stating that statements regarding functioning and finances of the cricketing body have been withdrawn. No reasons were given in the court as to why both of them were withdrawing their statements against DDCA.

The court noted that both defendants (Kejriwal and Azad) have withdrawn their allegedly defamatory statements, for which DDCA had sought compensation of Rs 2.5 crore from each of them.

“Suit is disposed of in above terms,” it said.

Kejriwal and Azad were facing the suit for alleged defamatory criticism of the functioning and finances of the cricketing body.

DDCA had alleged that Kejriwal “with prior motive, indulged in certain false, shocking, scandalous, defamatory, baseless, slanderous, malicious, disgraceful and outrageous statements which are defamatory against them”. It also said that the statements against the cricketing body were made to create a serious dent on its image and a “notion of public outcry”.

It had claimed that the allegations regarding financial irregularities and corruption in selections at the junior level were “maligning the image” of DDCA.

In April last year, a trial court had discharged both Kejriwal and Azad from the criminal defamation case filed against them by DDCA and it's then Vice President Chetan Chauhan for allegedly defaming him and the cricketing body.

The trial court had discharged Kejriwal and Azad saying that Chauhan has "no locus to prosecute this complaint any further because he has been relieved of his position as Vice President" and that DDCA had not opposed the application of the accused persons seeking a discharge in the case.