The case is related to the alleged comments made on PM Modi regarding the Rafale deal in 2018. The Supreme Court sought a reply from the Maharashtra government and the complainant within four weeks.
Tezzbuzz DeskCongress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has got a big relief from the Supreme Court in the criminal defamation case. The apex court has currently stayed the proceedings of this case going on in the trial court of Maharashtra. Along with this, a notice has been issued to the Maharashtra government and the complainant and directed to file the reply within four weeks.
This case is related to the alleged remarks made by Rahul Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Rafale fighter aircraft deal in the year 2018. Rahul Gandhi is accused of using words like 'commander-in-thief' and 'choron ke sardar' for PM Modi on social media platform X.
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh in the Supreme Court gave this order in the case. The court also agreed to review the Bombay High Court's decision which had rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea to quash the criminal defamation case.
Actually, BJP leader Mahesh Shrishrimal had filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi in the Girgaum Magistrate Court of Maharashtra. The complainant alleged that Rahul Gandhi's remarks were made with the aim of damaging the image of the Prime Minister, the ruling party and its members. In this case, after the summons was issued by the trial court, Rahul Gandhi had challenged the legal action.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier filed a petition in the Bombay High Court demanding quashing of the summons and defamation proceedings. However, the High Court had rejected his petition on 8 September. After this the Congress leader approached the Supreme Court.
The lawyer appearing for Rahul Gandhi argued that the complaint is not legally maintainable. He said that Rahul Gandhi had not taken the name of BJP or any political party in his tweet.
At present, following the order of the Supreme Court, there will be a stay on further proceedings of the case in the trial court. Further legal process in the case will proceed after the response of the Maharashtra government and the complainant.