NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed the proceedings against BJP MP Manoj Tiwari before a trial court in a defamation case filed by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party Leader Manish Sisodia with regard to corruption allegations made in school classrooms.

A bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said no useful purpose will be served by continuing with the proceedings qua Tiwari, since the proceedings against other accused have been stayed.

"Let no further steps be taken qua the present petitioner. The proceedings are stayed," the bench ordered, after hearing submission on behalf of Tiwari.

The court fixed the matter for consideration on October 11, 2023.

Advocate Bansuri Swaraj, appearing for Tiwari, sought stay of the proceedings, as out of the six accused, proceedings against four accused have been stayed.  

Opposing the submission, Sisodia's counsel contended the present petition was an abuse of the process of law.

Besides Tiwari, BJP leaders Vijender Gupta, Harish Khurana, Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Hans Raj Hans, and Manjinder Singh Sirsa were issued summons by a court Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate under Section 500 (punishment for defamation) read with Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

In 2019, Sisodia filed the defamation complaint against the six BJP leaders after they accused him of corruption in building classrooms in Delhi’s government schools.

In a press conference, the BJP leaders questioned the expenditure incurred out of funds of the public exchequer in building classrooms.