Ram Jethmalani calls Arun Jaitley 'crook', Finance Minister files Rs 10 cr defamation suit against Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi HC said the use of a "scandalous" word -- crook -- by Kejriwal's lawyer Ram Jethmalani against Jaitley during the latter's cross-examination in a defamation case cannot be allowed.

New Delhi: In more trouble for Arvind Kejriwal, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday filed an additional Rs 10 crore defamation suit against the Delhi Chief Minister after AAP chief's lawyer Ram Jethmalani called him a 'crook' in court.

Jethmalani had used the word "crook" against the Finance Minister during his cross-examination before a Joint Registrar.

Jaitley had then asked if the slur had been "authorised" for use by the Chief Minister. When Jethmalani said it had, the Finance Minister said he could seek "aggravated damages."

The Delhi High Court said the use of a "scandalous" word -- crook -- by Kejriwal's lawyer Ram Jethmalani against the Union Finance Minister during the latter's cross-examination in a defamation case cannot be allowed.

"If such allegations have been made on instructions of defendant 1 (Kejriwal), then no point in continuing with cross-examination of plaintiff (Jaitley) any more. Let defendant 1 make good his allegations. Let him step into the box," said Justice Manmohan.

Hearing the case, Justice Manmohan said if such remarks were made on Mr Kejriwal's instructions, then he should "first step into the box and make good his allegations" before continuing with Mr Jaitley's cross examination.

In December 2015, Jaitley filed a civil defamation case against Kejriwal and AAP leaders Kumar Vishwas, Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha and Deepak Bajpai, claiming they made "false and defamatory" statements vis-a-vis alleged corruption in the Delhi District Cricket Association, there by harming the Minister's reputation.

Jaitley has sought Rs 10 crore in damages.

He had claimed that the AAP leaders attacked him over alleged irregularities and financial bungling in the cricket body, of which he was the President for about 13 years.