The Delhi High Court has issued summons to four persons — one Italian and three Indians — in a defamation case filed by a Greek national for allegedly calling her an “alcoholic” and seeking Rs 10 crore in damages. Justice S Ravindra Bhat directed Francesca Pessina (from Italy), Kamal Gaur, Parul Lihla and D Vasudevan to appear in court on January 25, the next date of hearing.

The court was hearing allegations levelled by Frances Tsakonas, a Greek woman engaged by the European Commission to work on a project, against her Indian colleagues and project manager Pessina. She has accused them of calling her an “alcoholic and drug addict”, as a result of which she was dropped by the EU from the project.

Claiming that she is an international education expert and had worked with the present Prime Minister of Greece till 2004, Tsakonas said the “defamatory remarks about her character has caused her a loss of reputation”.