A Delhi court on Wednesday dismissed a criminal defamation case filed by Lipika Mitra, the wife of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Somnath Bharti, against the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Paras Dalal of Rouse Avenue Courts said that there was no reason to proceed with the case.
"The complaint stands dismissed," the judge added.
A detailed order is awaited.
Mitra had accused Sitharaman of "making and publishing defamatory, derogatory and libellous remarks in print and electronic media" against her and Bharti during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
She alleged that for political gains, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader had incorrectly spoken about alleged marital discord between Mitra and Bharti.
The Court had issued notice in the matter in May 2025.
Bharti was AAP's candidate from the New Delhi parliamentary constituency for the 2024 elections. His wife has alleged that Sitharaman in a press conference had made defamatory utterances against Bharti to weaken his chances of winning the elections.
"Almost like every couple, the complainant and her husband had developed certain issues and the same though unfortunately, had got blown out of proportion resulting in media trial etc but courtesy well wishers of the family, the matter was finally settled in all aspects on May 7, 2019 and since then the complainant and her husband Mr. Somnath Bharti are living happily with children, a fact which was widely reported in the media and everyone had come to know of it but during the press conference, solely with an intent to hurt the complainant and her husband solely for political gains to BJP's candidate and political loss to the complainant's husband during 2024 Loksabha Election, the accused spoke about the matrimonial discord of the complainant and her husband but withheld the information of their reunion and living together happily," Mitra said in the complaint.
The complaint added that Sitharaman's statements were aimed at tarnishing the reputation of her husband and damage his social standing and goodwill in society.
Somnath Bharti, who is also a lawyer, appeared for his wife.
Nirmala Sitharaman was represented by advocate Zoheb Hossain.