The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition by Congress leader Pawan Khera, who sought to challenge the validity of the charges against him in a defamation case involving alleged derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s father and purported links to major industrialists. The petition was dismissed by Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan of the Lucknow bench, emphasizing that Khera should face trial.
This legal battle stems from comments made by Khera in February 2023, which led to multiple FIRs being filed against him, including at police stations in Varanasi, Lucknow, and Assam. The case caught nationwide attention due to its political implications and the personalities involved.
Government Advocate V K Singh, opposing Khera’s petition, noted that similar pleas had previously been dismissed and argued that the current petition rehashed old grounds. This assertion played a crucial role in the court’s decision to dismiss the plea.
The Supreme Court had earlier consolidated all cases to the Hazratganj police station for a thorough investigation, leading to a chargesheet filed in the CJM’s court in Lucknow. With this latest judicial decision, Khera is set to proceed to trial, marking a significant step in this high-profile defamation case.
