A Delhi court has dismissed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s attempt to disqualify AAP leader Somnath Bharti from appearing as counsel for his wife, Lipika Mitra, in her defamation suit against the minister.
The Rouse Avenue Court, presided over by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal, ruled that marriage does not merge the legal identity or financial interests of spouses. “Husband and wife are distinct natural persons under the law,” the judge observed, noting that there was no ethical or legal obstacle preventing one spouse from defending or prosecuting a case on behalf of the other.
Sitharaman had urged the court to prevent Bharti from representing Mitra, arguing that his personal relationship with the complainant created a potential conflict of interest and that he could later be called as a witness. The court, however, noted that Bharti’s name was not on the witness list and Mitra had no plan to summon him.
The order stated that while Sitharaman could observe the defamation proceedings, she would not be permitted to address the court until the complainant and witnesses have been examined. “The proposed accused may watch the proceedings but cannot be heard until a prima facie case is made out to reach that stage,” the court clarified.
In a separate direction, the judge refused to waive a ₹5,000 cost earlier imposed on Mitra for her non-appearance, instructing that it be paid before the next hearing.
Mitra’s defamation suit accuses Sitharaman of making false and damaging remarks about her and Bharti during the 2024 Lok Sabha campaign, alleging that the statements about their marriage were politically motivated and intended to harm their reputation.
Advocates Anand Prakash Gautam and Samta Sharma appeared alongside Bharti for Mitra, while Sitharaman was represented by Zoheb Hossain, Sanjeev Menon, and Satyam.
