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During the proceedings, Gupta's counsel requested the

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Press Trust of India
court that the next date in the case only be fixed if the Chief Minister's counsel assures that on that day she will definitely come. They asked, "Why Dikshit is playing hide-and-seek with the court. Is it that the law cannot do anything to her?." Meanwhile, Pracha with the court's permission spoke directly with Dikshit over phone regarding what date will suit her for coming to court and thereafter informed the judge that on April 4, 5 and 6 she can come to court. The next date was fixed by the court subsequent to the submission made by Pracha. In June 2012, the court had issued summons against the BJP leader on Dikshit's allegation that he had used "uncivilised language" to defame her before the MCD polls. The Chief Minister had also filed a civil suit in the Delhi High Court demanding a token damage of Rs one from Gupta for erecting hoardings across the city in which her government was accused of conniving with private discoms and indulging in corruption in fixing power tariff. Gupta, however, had contended in the High Court that "fair" criticism is part and parcel of a healthy democracy. The Chief Minister had testified that she had sent legal notices to Gupta after the civic polls but the BJP leader did not apologise and rather stood by his remarks.

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First Published: Feb 18 2013 | 1:45 PM IST

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