Thu Jun 26 19:54:42 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the provided text:**

The text is a news article from “The Hindu,” published on June 27, 2025, detailing a legal dispute involving Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti. The core of the article revolves around a defamation case filed by Bharti’s wife, Lipika Mitra, against Sitharaman. During a court hearing, Sitharaman’s counsel argued that Bharti cannot represent his wife in the case due to a “conflict of interest” and threatened to refer the matter to the Bar Council of India. Mitra claims Sitharaman made defamatory remarks during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign to damage Bharti’s reputation and electoral prospects. The court has adjourned the hearing to July 16 to allow Bharti time to respond to the application.

**Here’s the rewrite as a news article:**

**Conflict of Interest Claimed in Defamation Case Against Finance Minister**

**New Delhi – June 27, 2025** – A Delhi court heard arguments on Thursday regarding a criminal defamation case filed against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman by Lipika Mitra, wife of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti.

The case stems from alleged defamatory remarks made by Sitharaman during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mitra claims the remarks were intended to tarnish Bharti’s reputation and negatively impact his chances of winning the New Delhi Parliamentary Constituency as a candidate from the INDIA alliance.

During Thursday’s hearing, Sitharaman’s counsel argued that Bharti cannot represent his wife in the case, citing a “conflict of interest.” The counsel demanded Bharti withdraw his authorization to represent his wife and threatened to refer the matter to the Bar Council of India for disciplinary action if he refused.

Bharti requested time to argue against the application. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal has adjourned the hearing until July 16.

The defamation case has been filed under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alleging that Sitharaman’s remarks caused significant mental anguish to Bharti and damaged his public image as an elected representative. The case underscores the ongoing political tensions and legal battles between the ruling party and opposition figures.

Read More