- The Bombay High Court rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea to quash the summons.
- Defamation case filed over statement on Rafale deal in 2018.
- Six-week interim term for Rahul Gandhi; Opportunity to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Rahul Gandhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi did not get relief from the Bombay High Court in a defamation case filed against him for allegedly making objectionable statements. To quash the summons issued by the Girgaon Metropolitan Magistrate Court Rahul Gandhi His petition has been rejected by the High Court.
Justice N. R. A single bench in Borkar observed that there was no manifest illegality or grave error in the order of the lower court. Therefore, the ongoing defamation proceedings in the Girgaon Metropolitan Magistrate Court will continue.
Controversy over the statement in 2018
The case relates to Rahul Gandhi's statement at a rally held in Rajasthan in 2018. Rahul Gandhi is accused of using the words 'commander-in-thief' and 'choron ke sardar' while criticizing the then Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale fighter jets deal.
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Against this statement, BJP activist Mahesh Srisrimal filed a defamation complaint in the Girgaon Metropolitan Magistrate Court. Then in August 2019, the court summoned Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court to quash the summons and the criminal proceedings based on it. His lawyers argued that the complaint was politically motivated.
Why did the High Court reject the petition?
The High Court did not accept Rahul Gandhi's argument. The court explained that there was no manifest illegality or grave error necessary to interfere with the order of the lower court.
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Also, whether the effect of the alleged statements was limited to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or whether BJP office-bearers and workers also fell within its purview, the court observed, could be determined during the course of evidence and trial.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has been given an interim period of six weeks. During this period they will be protected from personal appearance in the Magistrate's Court. It is also open to them to challenge this decision in the Supreme Court. Therefore, it is clear that the court proceedings in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi will continue.