SC halts defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over Amit Shah remark
The Supreme Court stayed defamation proceedings against Rahul Gandhi on Monday in a Jharkhand court. The case concerns his 2018 remark during a public speech in Chaibasa, where he allegedly called Union Home Minister Amit Shah a “murderer.” BJP worker Navin Jha filed the case in 2019, accusing Gandhi of defaming Shah.
The court issued notices to the Jharkhand government and Jha, seeking their responses to Gandhi’s petition. Gandhi challenged the February 2024 order by the Jharkhand High Court, which had refused to quash the summons issued to him by the trial court.
Senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Gandhi, argued that the case was invalid as it was filed by a third party. Singhvi questioned the complainant’s locus standi, asking, “If you are not the aggrieved person, how can you file a proxy complaint?”
Earlier, a Ranchi Judicial Commissioner had overturned the magistrate court’s dismissal of Jha’s complaint. The commissioner directed the magistrate to reassess the plea based on evidence and pass new orders. Subsequently, the magistrate ruled that sufficient grounds existed to proceed under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (defamation). Fresh summons were issued, requiring Gandhi to appear in court.
Gandhi then approached the Jharkhand High Court, challenging the summons. However, the single bench of Justice Ambuj Nath rejected his plea, stating that his remarks were “prima facie defamatory.” Justice Nath observed that Gandhi’s comments suggested BJP leaders were “liars” who would accept a leader accused of murder as their president. This imputation, the court noted, could harm Shah’s reputation.
The Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief for Gandhi, halting the trial. However, the case underscores the political and legal challenges stemming from remarks made during election campaigns.
