The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates, who figured in a sting operation by a news website, have filed defamation cases against its CEO and said they were mulling action against some of news channels for running the “doctored CD” without verifying its authenticity.
The sting operation by web portal ‘Media Sarkar’ had alleged that several AAP leaders, who were contacted for their help in recovering money from some individuals and getting through some controversial land deals, readily agreed to extend their support in return for donations in cash to the party.
“Our candidates have filed a case against the web portal for allegedly defaming them by releasing the doctored CD.
“The party has also filed a criminal defamation complaint against the CEO of the web portal and two officials of a channel for constantly carrying the story based on the alleged sting operation without verifying its veracity,” AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said, adding AAP leaders would meet Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday over the issue.
The development came as the office of Chief Electoral Officer on Monday said it has provided a copy of the CD containing sting operation to the AAP on EC’s direction and they may take any further action against the media portal, besides approaching the Election Commission for further redressal of their grievances.
“We will take the case to a logical conclusion and won’t allow anyone to tarnish our image. Our leaders are also going to meet Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday over the issue,” the AAP said in a statement.
AAP leaders said they would meet Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev to take up the matter. A senior election officer said the matter is being heard by the EC and any further action will be taken by them. While the media portal has submitted the CD to CEO office, it has been sent to EC with comments.
The charges had been dismissed as baseless by the AAP. The AAP had also requested the commission to stop the circulation of the CD saying it was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.