let bygones be bygones” was in the air as Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday accepted the apology tendered by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
later Jaitley and Kejriwal jointly moved a plea before a Delhi court seeking to settle the criminal defamation case filed by the former against the
AAP convener in the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) row.
In a letter addressed to Jaitley, Kejriwal wrote, “I unequivocally withdraw all the allegations made by me in question whether in print, electronic or social media against you. I offer my sincere apology to you and your family members for any harm caused to your reputation as a consequence of my allegations.”
“Though we belong to two different political parties, I believe that we should end the unsavoury litigations between us and serve the people of our country to the best of our abilities,” the letter stated.
According to the joint application, apart from Kejriwal, other AAP leaders — AAP MP Sanjay Singh, senior leaders Ashutosh, Deepak Bajpai and spokesperson Raghav Chadha — have apologised for their statements against Jaitley in connection with irregularities in the DDCA.
However, Kumar Vishwas has not yet tendered an apology and hence the proceedings shall continue against him.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Patiala House courts Samar Vishal ruled that the court will take up the application, filed by Jaitley and Kejriwal through their respective counsels on Tuesday.
The move by Kejriwal was on the expected lines as he had already apologised to several others who had filed defamation suits and complaints against him.
It may be recalled that Jaitley had on August 5, 2017 accused Kejriwal and other AAP leaders -- Kumar Viswas, Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Ashutosh and Deepak Bajpai -- of making a series of “false, scandalous and defamatory” allegations against him, claiming it adversely affected his reputation.
The AAP leaders had alleged financial irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) when Jaitley was its president from 2000 to 2013, prompting the Union Finance Minister to lodge defamation cases against them while denying all the allegations.
The Finance Minister had asked for Rs 10 crore as damages after Kejriwal and several other AAP leaders accused him of corruption during his 13-year stint at the DDCA.
Jaitley filed a second case last year after Kejriwal’s lawyer Ram Jethmalani used a slur while cross-examining him and said the term had been authorised by his client.
“...I categorically state that the disparaging and malicious statements made by Mr Ram Jethmalani, the Senior Advocate representing me, were without my knowledge and/or instructions,” the letter written by Kejriwal added.
It may be noted that Kejriwal first apologised to former Punjab Minister Bikram Majithia last month and then to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress leader Kapil Sibal’s son Amit Sibal to settle defamation suits filed against him.