Reliance Infra files Rs 100-crore defamation suit against AAP

Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) today filed a Rs 100-crore defamation suit in the Bombay High Court
against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had alleged the power company had overcharged consumers here in collusion with Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC).

Justice S J Kathawala directed three representatives of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party to remain present before the court on March 7 when the notice of motion prayed by the private power distribution firm would be heard.

The three party representatives are Anjali Damania, Convenor, Maharashtra AAP, Preeti Sharma Menon, State Secretary and Satish Jain, member, State AAP.

The court noted that the trio was not present today despite the plaintiffs serving notice to them. The Judge asked them to remain present on Friday without fail.

The notice of motion prayed that the defendants be restrained from repeating the allegations of the Anil Ambani- led firm being involved in a "power scam".

The plaintiffs alleged the AAP office-bearers had made baseless and false allegations at a press conference here last month to mislead the people, thereby defaming the company.

At the conference, AAP had accused RInfra and Tata Power of misrepresenting taxes and putting a burden of Rs 434 crore on consumers in Mumbai over the last three years.

"Misrepresentation of taxes has surfaced in which both RInfra and Tata Power are involved, causing a burden of Rs 434 crore on Mumbaikars in the past three years," Damania had said at the February 27 meet.

RInfra and Tata Power had strongly denied the charge the same day itself.