Atishi lodges complaint with DCW; Gambhir too files defamation case

NEW DELHI: AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi Marlena, on Friday, filed a complaint with Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) against the alleged derogatory pamphlets circulated in her constituency. "If BJP and Gautam Gambhir can do this with an empowered woman then how will he ensure security to rest of the women? We have filed a complaint with the Delhi Commission of Women," Atishi said.

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir also sent a defamation notice to the AAP trio demanding their apology.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said his party will send him a notice for defamation. "How is he filing a defamation case? We are the ones being defamed, we will file a defamation case against him. We will try to send a defamation notice to him today. His party has endorsed the pamphlets and he has not questioned that," Sisodia said.

On Thursday, Atishi broke down at a Press conference called by the AAP, where leaders displayed a pamphlet full of religious and sexist attacks on the candidate. "If Gambhir can stoop so low to defeat a strong woman like me, how can he ensure security for women as an MP?" asked the 37-year-old Oxford alumnus.

Stepping up his counter-offensive, BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir on Friday said he will 'hang' himself in public if the Aam Aadmi Party can prove that he has any link to the derogatory pamphlet allegedly circulated against his rival and AAP nominee from East Delhi Atishi Marlena. If the AAP fails to prove the allegations, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should quit politics, the ex-cricketer demanded.

"Challenger Number 3 to @ArvindKejriwal and @aap. If he can prove that I have anything to do with this pamphlet filth, then I will hang myself in public. Otherwise @ArvindKejriwal should quit politics. Accepted?" Gambhir tweeted. The BJP also approached East Delhi parliamentary seat returning officer K Mahesh seeking a police probe into the accusations against Gambhir in connection with the alleged circulation of obscene pamphlets targeting Atishi.

The complaint was lodged by BJP's Krishna Nagar councillor Sandeep Kapoor with the district magistrate and returning officer of East Delhi seeking a police probe in the matter, said Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana. The returning officer has already asked the police to register a complaint in this case.

On Thursday night, Gambhir sent defamation notices to Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Atishi asking them to withdraw their charges against him and tender an unconditional apology or face legal action.

Atishi accompanied by Sisodia in a Press conference on Thursday had alleged Gambhir's role in the circulation of pamphlets carrying "obscene and derogatory" remarks against her.