In a significant development amid ongoing political rivalries in the capital, the Delhi High Court has summoned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Atishi and Sanjay Singh to respond to a defamation claim brought by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit. Justice Ravinder Dudeja issued notices to the duo, requiring their replies by December 4, as Dikshit challenges a lower court's decision to dismiss his complaint.

The case traces back to the intense campaigning period leading up to the Delhi Assembly elections in February 2025, where BJP emerged victorious with 48 seats, reducing AAP to 22 and leaving Congress with minimal representation. During a press conference on December 30, 2024, Atishi—then Delhi's Chief Minister—and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh accused Dikshit of accepting "crores of rupees" from the BJP. They further claimed that the Congress party had secretly aligned with the ruling BJP to undermine AAP's electoral prospects, labeling Congress as the "B-team" of BJP in Delhi politics.

Dikshit, son of late three-time Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and a candidate from the New Delhi constituency in those elections, argued that these statements were not mere political rhetoric but personal attacks that damaged his reputation and influenced voter perceptions. His legal team emphasized in court that the accusations led to reputational harm and potential electoral setbacks, warranting defamation charges. Dikshit, who has a history of criticizing both AAP and BJP on issues like governance and corruption, filed both civil and criminal defamation suits in January 2025, seeking Rs 10 crore in damages.

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However, in April 2025, a trial court at Rouse Avenue rejected the complaint, ruling that the remarks fell under the umbrella of free speech during election season. The court described the statements as "political aspirations and assertions" rather than defamatory imputations, noting they were part of typical exchanges in a competitive poll environment. It highlighted the AAP leaders' right to freedom of expression under the Constitution, refusing to proceed with summons.

Undeterred, Dikshit filed a revision petition in the High Court, contending that the trial court's view overlooked the personal nature of the allegations. On Monday, his counsel reiterated that the claims went beyond fair political commentary, causing tangible harm. The High Court acknowledged the plea by issuing notices and scheduling the next hearing for December 4, potentially setting the stage for a deeper examination of boundaries between political speech and defamation in India's electoral landscape.

This lawsuit underscores the lingering tensions between AAP and Congress, former allies in national opposition fronts but fierce rivals in Delhi. Atishi, a prominent AAP figure known for her roles in education and finance reforms before becoming CM in late 2024, and Sanjay Singh, a vocal critic of central government policies, have not yet commented on the latest court order. As Delhi adjusts to BJP's governance post-2025 polls, such legal battles highlight how election-time accusations continue to reverberate long after the votes are counted.

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