New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS): The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani and Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam to settle out-of-court a defamation complaint the latter had filed against her.

"Whatever happened, happened in past. You both are public figures and why don't you sit across the table and settle the issue amicably?" Justice Suresh Kaith said while hearing Irani's plea agains tthe trial court's order summoning her on Nirupam's complaint of her using derogatory language against him during a TV debate.

Referring the matter to Delhi High Court mediation centre for August 25, he asked both leaders or their representatives to appear before it at 3 p.m. The court also asked their counsel to file a report before it on October 14.

Appearing for Irani, advocate Anil Soni told the court they agree to mediation and Nirupam's counsel also assented.

Nirupam, a former MP, alleged that on December 20, 2012, when the Gujarat assembly poll results were announced, Irani had made "defamatory and scurrilous comments" against him during a TV debate. She too had also filed a similar complaint against the Congress leader for allegedly defaming her during the same debate aired on a private news channel.