Rathee in his 2008 defamation case had alleged that he was shocked and deeply hurt by a news item published by The Indian Express under the title “Accused says he bribed ADGP, sought police protection”.
While the government has denied there being any political vendetta, the opposition as well as the newspaper have criticised AAP for trying to arm-twist the media.
Leader of Opposition in the Punjab legislative Assembly Partap Singha Bajwa has condemned the actions of AAP-led government for the alleged mistreatment of editor-in-chief of the Ajit Group of publications in Punjab and claimed that the freedom of speech is being curtailed in the State.