New Delhi, Oct. 13: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed trial court proceedings in a criminal defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notice on Gandhi’s plea challenging a Bombay High Court order that refused to quash the proceedings. The court sought responses from the Maharashtra government and the complainant within four weeks.
The interim relief came after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, presented his arguments. The Supreme Court ordered that further proceedings before the trial court remain stayed.
Case Arises From 2018 Remarks at Rajasthan Rally
The defamation complaint was filed by BJP member Mahesh Mukumchand Shrishrimal over remarks Gandhi allegedly made at a rally in Rajasthan in September 2018.
The complainant alleged that Gandhi used expressions such as “Choro Ke Sardar” and “Commander-in-Thief” while referring to Modi. He argued that the remarks damaged the Prime Minister’s reputation and portrayed BJP members as thieves.
The Girgaon Magistrate Court summoned Gandhi in August 2019 after considering the complaint and supporting material. Gandhi later approached the Bombay High Court, arguing that the complaint filed by a BJP worker was not maintainable.
However, the High Court rejected his plea on September 8. It found no manifest illegality or perversity in the summoning order that warranted interference under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The High Court also observed that the alleged remarks’ defamatory nature and their impact on BJP members would need examination during trial. It had granted Gandhi six weeks’ protection from appearing before the magistrate so he could approach the Supreme Court.
The latest relief follows other legal proceedings involving Gandhi’s alleged remarks about public figures. In April, the Supreme Court cautioned him over alleged derogatory remarks about freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
In a separate case concerning his alleged remarks about the Indian Army during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Supreme Court granted him interim relief in August. It also sought responses from the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant.
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