The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed the proceedings before a trial court against journalist Swati Chaturvedi in a defamation case filed against her by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga.
Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar issued notice in the matter and stayed the proceedings on a plea by Chaturvedi challenging the summons issued by a magistrate in the defamation case.
The case pertains to a tweet that was posted by Chaturvedi in March, 2017, wherein she had commented on BJP’s move to appoint Bagga as it’s spokesperson.
The tweet read, “Now the man who beat up @ idlkvespbhushan1 was arrested in a sexual harassment case speaks for @BJP4India. Good job.”
The initial part of the tweet made reference to an incident of 2011, wherein Bagga, along with two others, had allegedly attacked Advocate Prashant Bhushan in his Supreme Court chamber. The veteran lawyer sustained minor injuries to his head and leg.
Following the tweet, Bagga filed a defamation case against Chaturvedi. In May, 2018, a Magistrate court had summoned Chaturvedi to appear before the court.
The journalist had challenged the order, however, the same was dismissed in December, 2022.
Judge Sudhir Kumar Sirohi said in his order that Chaturvedi’s tweet about alleged sexual harassment ‘lowered’ the image of public figure, that too when he was representing a national party.
In her plea before the High Court, Chaturvedi challenged both the summons issued by the Magistrate and the order passed by Judge Sirohi dismissing her petition.
The High Court issued notice on the petition, directing that response be filed within two weeks. Rejoinder, if any, be filed within two weeks, it added.
The Bench listed the matter for further hearing on July 17.
The petitioner was represented by Advocates Adit Pujari and Akshat Gupta.