Delhi Court Dismisses Somnath Bharti's Wife's Defamation Complaint Against Nirmala Sitharaman

• A Delhi court dismissed a criminal defamation complaint filed by ex-AAP MLA Somnath Bharti’s wife, Lipika Mitra, against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal denied cognisance in the case, stating, "I do not see any reason to proceed further."
• The complaint alleged Sitharaman made "defamatory, false and malicious statements" in a May 17, 2024 press conference.
• Lipika Mitra claimed the statements were intended to tarnish Bharti's reputation and weaken his chances in the general elections.
• The complaint also stated the utterances aimed to hurt the complainant and her husband for BJP’s political gains in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.