The Delhi High Court has imposed a cost of ₹5,000 on the counsel representing Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed in her defamation suit against BJP leader Sanju Verma, after observing that the lawyer appeared unprepared for the hearing.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, in an order dated July 8, noted that Mohamed’s counsel had failed to comply with previous directions of the Court and sought an adjournment on untenable grounds. The amount is to be paid to defendant Sanju Verma before the next hearing.

“The cost of ₹5,000 shall be paid by learned counsel for the plaintiff to the defendant no.1 before the next date of hearing,” the Court directed.

Dr. Mohamed had filed a defamation case against Verma over allegedly demeaning remarks made during a television news debate. On November 1, 2024, the High Court directed removal of defamatory posts from social media, observing that Verma’s statements were inappropriate.

In response, Verma filed applications under Order VII Rules 10 and 11 of the Civil Procedure Code, seeking rejection of the suit. The Court issued notices on these applications in December 2024.

Despite being granted a final opportunity in May to file a reply, Mohamed’s counsel sought further adjournment during the July 8 hearing, citing a misunderstanding related to case listing.

The Court, however, found the explanation unsatisfactory.

“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 order stated.

Though the counsel later apologised, the Court proceeded to adjourn the matter and imposed the cost for lack of preparedness.

Advocates Eesha Bakahi and Gurbani Bhatia appeared for Dr. Mohamed, while Sanju Verma was represented by Raghav Awasthi, Simran Brar, and Tanya Lal.