Delhi High Court fines Congress leader's lawyer for coming unprepared in case against BJP leader

The Delhi High Court recently imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on the counsel representing Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed in her defamation case against BJP’s Sanju Verma [Dr Shama Mohamed v Smt Sanju Verma and Ors].

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav noted that the counsel had failed to prepare for the matter and ordered that the fine should be paid to Verma. 

“Further, the Court deems it appropriate to direct for imposition of cost. The cost of ₹5000 shall be paid by learned counsel for plaintiff to the defendant no.1 before the next date of hearing,” the Court order of July 8 said.

Mohamed has sued Verma for defamatory statements during a TV news debate show. The High Court had on November 1, 2024, ordered the removal of the defamatory posts from social media and said Verma’s comments were demeaning.

Meanwhile, Verma’s counsel filed applications under Order VII Rules 10 and 11, seeking rejection of the suit. Notices were issued on the applications in December 2024. 

In May, the Court reluctantly granted Mohamed’s counsel one final opportunity to file their reply to the applications and scheduled the case for a hearing on July 8.

When the case was taken up for hearing on July 8, Mohamed’s lawyer sought an adjournment, stating that the case was listed before the registrar on 22 August. 

However, Justice Kaurav did not take kindly to this submission. 

“The Court fails to understand as to how the aforesaid date would have any relevance when the Court had specifically directed for listing of this matter before the Court for consideration of the pending applications,” the Bench said. 

The Counsel then tendered an apology, adding that she could not prepare for the matter because of some misunderstanding. 

The Court then adjourned the case while also imposing fine.

Advocates Eesha Bakahi and Gurbani Bhatia appeared for Dr. Shama Mohamed. 

Sanju Verma was represented through advocates Raghav Awasthi, Simran Brar and Tanya Lal. 

[Read Order]