Mon May 12 21:46:01 UTC 2025: ## Delhi High Court Closes Defamation Case After BJP MP Removes Social Media Posts

**New Delhi, May 13, 2025** – The Delhi High Court has dismissed an interim plea filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra in a defamation case against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. The court’s decision follows the removal of allegedly defamatory social media posts by both defendants.

Moitra had filed the plea in 2023, alleging that Dubey and Dehadrai had falsely accused her of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for asking parliamentary questions. Dubey’s Facebook post and Dehadrai’s tweet contained screenshots of what they claimed was evidence of the bribe. This led to an investigation by the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, which ultimately recommended Moitra’s expulsion from the Lower House in December 2023.

Dubey’s counsel argued that the post was based on a Lokpal judgement related to a complaint he filed against Moitra, and that her previous comments provoked his response. While Moitra’s counsel stated that her comments did not refer to Dubey, the court accepted her statement.

Following the defendants’ removal of the offending posts – Dubey deleting his Facebook post and Dehadrai promising to remove his X (formerly Twitter) post – the court deemed the interim plea moot and closed the case. Moitra’s original suit, seeking a public apology and a restraining order against further defamatory statements, remains pending.

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