Tytler granted bail in defamation case

A Delhi court on Saturday granted bail to senior Congress leader and former Union minister, Jagdish Tytler, in a case of making alleged defamatory remarks against Harvinder Singh Phoolka, lawyer of 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims, in a TV news programme. The case is related to 2004.

The court also exempted Tytler from appearing personally till the disposal of his application seeking permanent exemption from court appearances, and posted the matter for May 23.

He was granted bail at a personal and surety bond of Rs 50,000 each.

“Accused Tytler is admitted on bail on furnishing of a personal and surety bond of Rs 50,000 each as the condition," Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Ajay Panday said after Tytler appeared before the court.

Phoolka’s counsel, Kamna Vohra, opposed Tytler’s plea seeking permanent exemption from appearance before the court, arguing his appeal for exemption is baseless as the matter has already been transferred from Ludhiana court to the capital on his own request.

The matter is related to September 7, 2004, when Phoolka filed the case at the Ludhiana court against Tytler accusing him of making derogatory remarks in a private TV channel’s programme. Phoolka and Tytler were co-participants in the TV programme based on the questions as to why the guilty of Delhi and Gujarat riots were not punished.

Lately, anti-Sikh riots accused Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, who were nominated as the Congress’ candidate from Northeast Delhi and South Delhi Lok Sabha constituencies respectively, had to withdraw their candidatures from elections under pressure mounting by Sikh communities ever since CBI gave clean chit to Jagdish Tytler in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.