Sheila Dikshit deposits Rs 5,000 as costs for absence in court

New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today deposited in a Delhi court Rs 5,000 as costs imposed on her for non-appearance in a defamation case lodged by her against BJP leader Vijender Gupta.

Dikshit, who was earlier directed by the court to remain present before it without any excuse, did not turn up before Metropolitan Magistrate Neha and sought a day's exemption from personal appearance.

Sheila Dikshit. PTI

Dikshit application was opposed by Gupta with his counsel asking the court to impose more costs on her.

However, the judge said "today is the first day... and she has received the file by way of transfer. So no cost will be imposed".

The judge said that the amount imposed on her has already been paid through her proxy counsel. To which, Gupta also an ex-president of BJP's Delhi unit, said he does not want to keep the money.

"I am giving this money to my party workers, so that they can buy blankets for poor people, dying due to cold," Gupta said, adding that it will be done today itself.

The court, however, allowed Dikshit's application for exemption from personal appearance for today only and listed the matter for "pre charge evidence" on 2 July.

The court on 6 August, 2013 framed criminal defamatio charges against Gupta in the complaint filed by Dikshit.

Dikshit had filed a complaint against Gupta alleging that the BJP leader had used "uncivilised" language against her in the run up to the MCD polls in 2012 while accusing her of helping and conniving with power companies.

Dikshit, who is the complainant in the case, was earlier directed to appear without failing before the court, for her examination and cross examination.

PTI