New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue court has ordered Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Praveen Shankar Kapoor to respond to a revision petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi in a defamation case. This directive was issued on Monday as the court seeks clarity on the matter, which has garnered significant political attention.

Atishi, who has already contested the summoning order related to the defamation case initiated by Kapoor, is set to have her arguments heard on October 23 and 24. Special Judge Vishal Gogne emphasized the necessity for Kapoor to file a detailed reply, following the issuance of notice to him during a previous hearing.

The backdrop to this legal tussle stems from statements made by Atishi during an April 2 press conference, where she alleged that the BJP attempted to lure her into joining their ranks through a close acquaintance. She claimed that the BJP threatened her with potential arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) if she refused their overtures. “The BJP, through one of my close aides, approached me to join their party to save my political career. If I do not join the BJP, then I will be arrested by the ED in the coming month,” she asserted, accusing the central government of using investigative agencies as tools of intimidation.

Kapoor’s defamation complaint argues that Atishi’s allegations are not only false but also damaging to the reputation of the BJP and its members. The legal notice sent by Kapoor, through Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain, demands an immediate retraction of Atishi’s claims, alongside a public apology disseminated through television and social media platforms.

As this high-stakes legal battle unfolds, it raises questions about the intersection of politics and law in the run-up to the general elections, with Atishi vowing to stand firm against what she terms the BJP’s tactics. “We will not be scared of you. We are the soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal. We will continue to save the Constitution and work for a better life for the people under his leadership,” she declared.

Meanwhile, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate has postponed proceedings until November 5, pending the summoning of case records by the appellate court. Legal representatives for both parties include Senior Advocates Ramesh Gupta and Ajay Burman, highlighting the seriousness with which this case is being treated within political circles.

As the legal ramifications of these accusations unfold, all eyes will remain on the court proceedings and the subsequent political fallout in the weeks leading up to the elections.