Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife files ₹100 crore defamation suit against Manish Sisodia

Mr. Sisodia had told newsmen that while the Assam government procured PPE kits for ₹600 each, Mr. Sarma gave urgent supply orders to the firms of his wife and son's business partners for ₹990 apiece.

Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has filed a ₹100 crore defamation suit against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who had alleged malpractice in giving contracts for PPE at above market rates.

Ms. Bhuyan Sarma filed the suit at the court of Civil Judge No.1 of Kamrup Metropolitan district on June 21 and it is likely to come up for hearing on June 22, her counsel Padmadhar Nayak said.

Another advocate Kishor Kumar Dutta told PTI that Mr. Sisodia while addressing a press meet on June 4 in New Delhi had made "some allegations that damaged the reputation and position" of Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

"Sisodia unnecessarily dragged the name of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also into the controversy. That is why we have claimed that damage," he added.

Mr. Sisodia, referring to media reports had told newsmen that while the Assam government procured personal protective equipment kits for ₹600 each from other companies, Mr. Sarma gave urgent supply orders to the firms of his wife and son's business partners for ₹990 apiece.

The Opposition Congress, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML)-Liberation, RCPI, TMC, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad and Anchalik Gana Morcha have demanded a CBI probe into the alleged corruption.