The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the trial proceedings against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case filed over his remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale fighter jet deal.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notice to the State and directed it to respond within four weeks. The Court ordered a stay on the trial pending further proceedings.
The case originates from a complaint filed by BJP member Mahesh Shrishrimal before the Girgaon Magistrate Court in Maharashtra, alleging that Gandhi made defamatory statements against Prime Minister Modi during a political rally in Rajasthan in September 2018.
The complaint referred to Gandhi’s use of expressions such as “commander-in-thief” and “Choron Ke Sardar” while criticising the Prime Minister over the Rafale deal.
Shrishrimal alleged that Gandhi’s statements resulted in Modi being subjected to trolling across news channels and social media platforms.
Earlier Proceedings in Defamation Case
Acting on the complaint, the magistrate issued summons to Gandhi in August 2019, requiring him to appear before the court in connection with the defamation proceedings.
Gandhi received the summons in July 2021 and subsequently approached the Bombay High Court to challenge the magistrate’s order summoning him.
Supreme Court Grants Interim Relief
The matter reached the Supreme Court, where the Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh considered Gandhi’s challenge on Tuesday.
The Court issued notice returnable within four weeks and stayed the trial before the Maharashtra court.
The State has been granted four weeks to file its response.
