Defamation case: Kejri apologises to Jaitley

After saying sorry to four others to wriggle out of defamation cases, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday apologised to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Kejriwal apologised for commenting on Jaitley's tenure as the head of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).

The chief minister told Jaitley that the allegations he levelled against the finance minister were based on information provided by some people claiming to have inside information about the functioning of the DDCA, but it was proven wrong.

His aides Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chaddha and Deepak Bajpai also apologised to Jaitley following which a joint petition to withdraw the defamation proceedings was filed in a court, which will take up the matter on Tuesday.

Kumar Vishwas, who is also named in the case, has not apologised and the case against him will continue.

Jaitley had in 2015 filed a criminal defamation complaint against them. A civil defamation suit has also been filed by Jaitley before the Delhi High Court seeking Rs 10 crore in damages after Kejriwal's then counsel Ram Jethmalani made some comments against him.

In his letter to Jaitley, Kejriwal said the allegations were based on information and papers furnished to him by "certain individuals who represented to have first-hand insight" into DDCA's affairs.

"However, I have recently discovered that the information and the imputations contained therein are unfounded and unwarranted and I was clearly misinformed into making these allegations," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal did not mention any names. Known Jaitley detractor and BJP MP Kirti Azad and former cricket captain Bishan Singh Bedi had met Kejriwal earlier to brief him about DDCA.

Kejriwal said he was "unequivocally withdrawing" all the allegations levelled against Jaitley made in print, electronic or social media.

"I offer my sincere apology to you and your family members for any harm caused to your reputation as a consequence of my allegations," Kejriwal said.

He also said the "disparaging and malicious statements made by Ram Jethmalani, a senior advocate representing me, were without my knowledge and/or instructions" and "I reaffirm what I have already stated earlier that I do not approve of these disparaging and malicious statements made by Ram Jethmalani."

"Though we belong to two different political parties, I believe that we should end the unsavoury litigations between us and serve the people of our country to the best of our abilities," he said.

Last month, Kejriwal had apologised to Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia, Congress leader Kapil Sibal and his lawyer-son Amit.