Supreme Court Stays Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks

Supreme Court halts defamation case against Rahul Gandhi for alleged 2018 murderer remark on Amit Shah

The Supreme Court has stayed the proceedings in a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding his alleged 2018 remark calling Union Home Minister Amit Shah a murderer.

The top court issued a notice to the Jharkhand government and the complainant, BJP worker Navin Jha, asking for their responses to Gandhi’s petition. The Congress MP challenged the February 2024 order by the Jharkhand High Court that refused to dismiss the summons issued by a trial court.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Gandhi, argued that the case was filed by a third party, which is not permissible under defamation laws. Singhvi questioned how a complaint could be filed by someone not directly affected by the alleged defamatory statement.

The case stems from Gandhi’s speech in Chaibasa during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where he reportedly referred to Amit Shah as a murderer. Navin Jha filed a defamation case in 2019, claiming Gandhi’s remarks were defamatory and tarnished Shah’s reputation.

Initially, a magistrate’s court dismissed the complaint, but a judicial commissioner in Ranchi overturned the dismissal. The commissioner directed the magistrate to review the complaint and consider the evidence on record. In November 2018, the magistrate court found sufficient grounds to proceed under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), issuing fresh summons for Gandhi to appear.

Gandhi then approached the Jharkhand High Court, challenging the summons. However, the high court dismissed his plea, ruling that his remarks were prima facie defamatory. Justice Ambuj Nath observed that Gandhi’s statements implied BJP leaders are “liars” who would accept someone accused of murder as their party president. The judge noted that these remarks could damage reputations and upheld the summons against Gandhi.

The Supreme Court’s intervention now pauses further proceedings, providing Gandhi temporary relief. The case highlights ongoing legal battles involving political leaders and the sensitivity of public remarks made during election campaigns.

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