SC Stays Trial Court Proceedings Against Rahul Gandhi; Issues Notice In SLP Challenging Defamation Case Over Alleged Remarks Against Amit Shah

The Supreme Court today stayed trial proceedings in a defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by BJP worker Navin Jha over his alleged remark referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a "murder accused" during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign.

The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notices to the State of Jharkhand and complainant Navin Jha.

Both respondents were represented in Court on caveat.

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, argued that the defamation case lacked standing, stating, "There are two principles. If you are not the person aggrieved, you can't have a proxy filing of complaint."

The Court, while condoning delays in filing and re-filing the appeal, ordered that further proceedings in the trial court be stayed until further orders.

The defamation case was initiated following Gandhi’s comments during the 2019 election campaign, where he allegedly called Amit Shah a "murder accused." Gandhi's plea to quash the case was earlier dismissed by the Jharkhand High Court, prompting the Congress leader to approach the Supreme Court.

Jharkhand High Court Proceeding

Pertinently, last year, in February the Jharkhand High Court had dismissed Gandhi's petition seeking to quash the defamation case. Justice Ambuj Nath, presiding over the High Court, observed that Gandhi's statements were "prima facie defamatory in nature."

The Court had held that the remarks implied the BJP leadership was "drunk with power" and consisted of "liars," with an implicit suggestion that BJP workers supported such leadership.

Cause Title: Rahul Gandhi v. State of Jharkhand [Diary No. 36772/2024]