Defamation Case Against Finance Minister Dismissed as 'Worthless'

A Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday dismissed a defamation complaint against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The complaint, filed by Lipika Mitra, wife of AAP leader Somnath Bharti, was ruled as lacking substantial evidence of direct implication.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal explained that Sitharaman's statements were merely political opposition aimed at the AAP and the INDIA bloc, with no direct allegations against Mitra. He described the complaint as 'floccinaucinihilipilification', meaning something of little value or worth.

The court concluded that since no prima facie offence was evident, there was no basis for further proceedings. Advocate Zoheb Hossain, representing Sitharaman, denied any defamatory intent, contending that the statements were part of the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign rhetoric.