AAP Minister Atishi Granted Bail in Defamation Case by Delhi Court

AAP Minister Atishi received bail in a defamation case at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court. BJP leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor filed the complaint over allegations of 'poaching' AAP legislators. Delhi CM Kejriwal criticized the move, calling it 'dictatorship.' Kapoor accused AAP of deflecting from corruption charges.

On Tuesday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Minister Atishi appeared at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, where she was granted bail in a defamation case. The court set her bail bond at Rs 20,000. The defamation charges stemmed from a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor, who alleged that AAP was 'poaching' legislators.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had previously condemned the court's summons to Atishi, labeling it as an act of 'dictatorship.' Kejriwal argued that the BJP aims to arrest all Aam Aadmi Party leaders under 'frivolous' charges. 'If Modi ji returns to power, every single opposition leader will be arrested,' Kejriwal posted on X on Tuesday.

Praveen Shankar Kapoor, Delhi BJP media head, said the defamation complaint came after Atishi claimed the BJP had approached her to join their party. Kapoor asserted that AAP uses such allegations as a diversion whenever faced with corruption charges. 'After Atishi refused to apologize, we filed a defamation case,' he added.

(With inputs from agencies.)