Ahmedabad:  In a defamation case filed by Gujarat University against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and MP Sanjay Singh, the Sessions Court has conditionally excused the delay in their application for a separate trial, imposing a fine of ₹10,000 each.

The case stems from the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree, where Gujarat University alleges that both leaders defamed the institution by questioning the degree’s validity. Charges have been framed against Kejriwal and Singh in the Metropolitan Court, and the case is currently at the stage of witness examination on behalf of the university.

Kejriwal had filed an application in the Metropolitan Court seeking separate trials for himself and Sanjay Singh, which was rejected. Subsequently, they filed a revision application in the Ahmedabad Sessions Court, arguing that they were not given sufficient opportunity to present their case.

The Sessions Court has now granted their revision application but imposed a fine of ₹10,000 each, ordering them to pay the amount to the Registrar of Gujarat University within seven days.

Gujarat University Registrar Dr. Piyush Patel had filed the defamation case in 2023. The Sessions Court’s decision to forgive the delay in their revision application came with the condition of paying the fine.

Chief Public Prosecutor Sudhir B. Brahmbhatt strongly opposed the revision application, arguing that the delay in filing made it inadmissible. He also asserted that the Metropolitan Court’s order rejecting their application for separate trials was justified.

After hearing both sides, the Sessions Court allowed the revision application but imposed the fine of ₹10,000 each, directing them to pay it to the University Registrar.