Ironically, the stand taken by the Delhi government on defamation stands against what its chief minister advocated not too long ago in April this year.

Political parties of all hue and colour have united against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the Delhi government under the AAP chief has issued a circular asking all its officials to lodge a complaint with the principal secretary (Home) if they come across any news item which damage the reputation of the chief minister or the government, so that further action can be taken.

Kejriwal's diktat in an attempt to reign in the media from publishing or broadcasting any news item critical of the Delhi government resulted in quick reactions from the BJP and the Congress among others.

Stating that he doesn't care about media, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that if election is held in the national capital today, Aam Aadmi Party would poll 72 percent votes.

"Whatever comes in the media, but I conduct a survey every 15 days of my party in Delhi. If elections are conducted in the national capital, then we are ought to get 72 percent votes. After the elections, our condition has improved a lot," Kejriwal said, while interacting with party volunteers through Google Hangout.

Kejriwal added that the AAP government is going to complete 100 days in its office on 24 May while the Modi government will complete its one year on May 26.

"I think there should be comparison of work between Modi's and our governments. There should be comparison as to what we have done in the last 100 days and what Modi's government has done in the last one year," he also said.

Attacking the media, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "Media keeps showing us in negative light but don't worry about that as people of Delhi is happy with us. Despite media's attempts, people gave us 67 seats."

"As far as starting a media house is concerned, we don't want to do that. There are good people in media too, who are not happy. If some senior people come together and want to start a news channel or news paper, the government will definitely help them. We also want a honest media house which only shows news," he said.

The Delhi CM's full blown campaign against the media has quickly become fodder for Opposition outrage.

Condemning the circular issued by the Delhi government, BJP's Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay said that the law of defamation is not a new one but it should not be used against the fourth pillar of democracy.

"By issuing this circular they are trying to strangle democracy. It hints that something is fishy," Upadhyay told ANI.

"The circular implies that there is an unannounced emergency," the Delhi BJP said.

The Congress was also not far behind to lap up the opportunity to pounce on Kejriwal.

"It seems that Kejriwal is frightened of media now, it’s unfortunate that such circular has been brought out against media," Congress leader Ajay Maken told ANI.

Another Congress leader Tom Vadakkan also attacked the Delhi chief minister for the move that threatened to infringe upon the freedom of the press.

"This is the finest double speak I have ever seen of a chief minister who has used media to target various governments," Vadakkan said.

The Aam Aadmi Party national convener's increasing discomfort with constant media scrutiny was evident itself on 4 May when he openly blamed television channels for allegedly trying to destroy the party and his government.

BJP parliamentarian Meenakshi Lekhi sought to remind Kejriwal that he too himself is a product of the media.

"Mr. kejriwal has been made what he is today because of the media," Lekhi said.

Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao also came heavily on the AAP national convener for the circular issued by the Delhi government. "He once spoke of rights, Lokpal etc. and look what he is doing today," Rao told ANI.

Reacting to the diktat of the Delhi government, senior journalist NK Singh said, "Arvind Kejrwal should know that he cannot file criminal defamation, it's the work of the police."

According to the circular issued by the directorate of information and publicity department, if any officer associated with the Delhi government feels that the published or aired news item damages his or the government's reputation, he should file a complaint with the principal secretary (Home).

"In such case, a reference letter will be sent to the principal secretary (Home) containing details of the defamatory imputation published, the mode of publication, factual inaccuracy, details of allegations made and ground for believing that it will harm the reputation of the person against whom the imputation has been made," a senior officer said.

According to the official, the principal secretary (Home) will then examine the matter and will also seek the opinion of the director (prosecution) as to whether the prosecution under section 499/500 of the IPC is to be launched.

If as per the opinion of the director (prosecution), offence of defamation is made out the principal secretary will refer the matter to the law department for examining the matter and obtain the sanction of under section 199(4) of the CrPc.

After the sanction of the government is obtained, the home department will forward the case to the public prosecutor for making a complaint under Section 199(2) of the CrPc.

Ironically, the stand taken by the Delhi government on defamation stands against what its chief minister advocated not too long ago in April this year. Facing couple of defamation suits himself, Kejriwal then had sought the Supreme Court's intervention to decriminalise the defamation law.

"The petition filed through advocate Chirag Shroff by Arvind Kejriwal said that penal provision for defamation is unconstitutional as it puts unreasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The provision is being misused and should be removed from the rule book, Kejriwal said."—a Tehelka report said.

With agency inputs