In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has stayed criminal defamation proceedings against Rahul Gandhi, stemming from remarks he made about Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also called for responses from the Jharkhand government and the original complainant to Gandhi’s petition seeking dismissal of the case.
During the hearing, it was argued that the complaint lacked standing, as it was filed by a third party rather than the allegedly aggrieved individual. “If you are not the person aggrieved, how can a proxy file a complaint?” was a point raised in Gandhi’s defense.
The controversy dates back to a speech Gandhi delivered in March 2018, where he reportedly criticized the BJP and its leadership, including allegations directed at Shah. The remarks led to a complaint by BJP leader Navin Jha, which had initially been dismissed by a magistrate in Ranchi. However, a higher court later revived the case, leading to fresh summons being issued.
The High Court had earlier deemed Gandhi’s comments prima facie defamatory, interpreting them as accusations against the BJP’s leadership and culture. It cited provisions under the Indian Penal Code that address defamation, including imputations against groups or associations.
For now, the Supreme Court’s stay halts further proceedings, pending the responses and detailed examination of the case. This legal battle adds another chapter to the ongoing political tussle between Gandhi and the BJP, with larger implications for freedom of speech and political accountability in India.
