Rahul Gandhi gets big relief from Supreme Court in defamation case, interim stay on trial court proceedings

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has got a big relief from the Supreme Court in a defamation case. The Supreme Court has stayed the trial court proceedings in the case till further orders. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta has sought response from the Jharkhand government and complainant BJP worker Naveen Jha on Rahul Gandhi's petition. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, argued in the court that the complaint was filed by a third party, which is not acceptable in defamation cases. Singhvi raised the question that when the complainant himself is not a victim, how can he pursue the case.

What is the whole matter?

BJP worker Naveen Jha had accused Rahul Gandhi of commenting on BJP and its leaders on March 18, 2018. After this he had filed a defamation claim against Rahul Gandhi. Ranchi Magistrate Court had earlier rejected this complaint. Jha then filed a revision petition before the Judicial Commissioner, in which the Judicial Commissioner sent the complaint back to the Magistrate Court for reconsideration.

stay on proceedings

However, Ranchi High Court had said in its order on 22 February 2024 that Rahul Gandhi's statements are prima facie defamatory under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code. Under this, the court had refused to quash the case. After this, Rahul Gandhi challenged the decision of the High Court, after which the Supreme Court, while hearing the case, stayed the proceedings of the trial court. The court has sought answers from the Jharkhand government and the complainant. Also read: When Rahul came out to fight India, this Bihari man was shocked, everyone was surprised by suddenly taking such a step! Today's weather: Effect of cold reduced in Delhi NCR, rain alert in these states