HC to hear Nirupam's plea against summoning order on Feb 20

The Delhi High Court today fixed February 29 for final hearing of a plea filed by Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam challenging a trial court order summoning him in a criminal defamation complaint filed by BJP MP Smriti Irani.
A bench of Justice V P Vaish said he is listing the case for final hearing on February 20, 2015.
TV actress-turned-BJP parliamentarian Irani, now Union Human Resource Development Minister, filed a complaint against Nirupam for allegedly using derogatory and indecent language against her during a TV debate in 2012.
Filing the plea against the trial court's March 11 order, Nirupam has said the magistrate's order taking cognizance of the complaint is "bad in law".

"The magistrate without application of mind and contrary to law came to take cognisance on the material to issue summons," the plea has said.
Alleging that the complainant has suppressed material, the Congress leader said "there is nothing in the imputed sentences to make it defamation against Irani."

"The allegations made do not relate to the conduct of the respondent (Irani). The criticism, true or false or exaggerated about a politician or his role, don't make reflection on the moral or mental qualities of Irani, hence cannot be branded as defamation," the plea said and urged the court to quash the proceedings.

The plea said "the debate was at the spur of moment" and he has no intention to outrage the modesty as concluded by the magistrate without considering the circumstances.
Nirupam had allegedly made the controversial remarks against Irani on December 20, 2012 during a debate on Gujarat assembly election results on a news channel.
He had also allegedly questioned the credentials of BJP's Mahila Morcha chief Irani to analyse poll results given her background as a TV actress.