NEW DELHI: A second defamation case has been filed against Congress MP Naveen Jindal over allegations of extortion against editors of Zee News.

Even as a Delhi court has taken cognizance of a defamation complaint filed by editor of Zee News Sudhir Chaudhari against Congress MP Naveen Jindal and 16 officials of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), a business editor of the news channel Samir Ahluwalia has filed another defamation suit.

Metropolitan magistrate Jay Thareja has taken cognisance of the defamation complaint filed by Chaudhary.

"The cognisance of offence under section 499 (defamation) read with 34 (common intention) of the IPC is taken... Keeping in view the law laid down in the provisions of Cr PC and the judgment of the Delhi High Court, the examination of complainant and his witnesses is being proceeded with. Put up for examination of complainant and his witnesses on oath for January 7," Thareja said.

Ahluwalia has filed his defamation complaint in a different court, which will decide on 9 January whether to take cognisance of his plea.

Chaudhary, who was granted exemption from personal appearance in court earlier this week has alleged in his complaint that Jindal and JSPL officials had deliberately made false statements against him with an intention to tarnish his image.

He has said in his complaint that defamatory statements were made in an FIR lodged against him in the alleged case.

Chaudhary and Ahluwalia were arrested on 27 November on a complaint filed by Jindal?s firm alleging that they had demanded money as an advertising deal for not airing negative news reports about the firm in connection with coal block allocation scandal. Both of them were granted bail later.