Delhi court refuses to acquit Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in defamation case

New Delhi, Sep 19 (PTI) A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to acquit Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in a criminal defamation complaint lodged by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, holding his request was “without any merit”.

The counsel for the Congress leader had moved an application seeking his acquittal on the ground that the complainant failed to appear before it on August 7 and 21 without a justifiable cause.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal dismissed Gehlot's application, saying on the days in question the matter was fixed for supply of documents and scrutiny. “The presence of the complainant on those days was quite unnecessary, especially considering that the counsel for the complainant was very much present before the court,” he said.