The Supreme Court stayed the trial against Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case over his 2018 'commander-in-thief' remarks about PM Narendra Modi. The Court issued notice to the State, returnable in four weeks.
The Supreme Court has stayed the trial against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case arising from his 2018 remarks referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "commander-in-thief." A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notice to the State, returnable in four weeks, and directed that the trial be stayed pending further orders.
The case stems from a speech delivered by Gandhi in Karnataka in 2018 during election campaigning. The complainant alleged that the term 'commander-in-thief' was defamatory and intended to tarnish the reputation of the Prime Minister. Proceedings were initiated under Section 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which remain applicable as the incident occurred before the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
While staying the trial, the Court did not comment on the merits of the case. The interim relief provides Gandhi temporary reprieve from facing trial in the Maharashtra court. The order underscores the Supreme Court's role in preventing potential misuse of criminal defamation proceedings, especially against political figures, until the legality of the proceedings is fully examined.
Citations
- Indian Penal Code, 1860, Sections 499, 500
