Delhi Court Imposes ₹5,000 Fine on Lipika Mitra for Missing Hearing in Case Against Nirmala Sitharaman

The Delhi court fined Lipika Mitra ₹5,000 for her absence in the hearing of her criminal defamation complaint against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Judge Paras Dalal noted that neither Mitra nor her legal representatives appeared in person or via video conferencing, despite the date being fixed with both parties’ consent.

The court gave Mitra a final chance to file her reply and present arguments, scheduling the next hearing for August 2.

Mitra’s complaint alleges that Sitharaman made defamatory statements in a May 2024 press conference to tarnish Mitra’s husband, former AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, and influence the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in favor of the BJP candidate.