SC Stays Criminal Defamation Case Against Rahul

In a significant relief for Congress leader and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, the Supreme Court has stayed the criminal defamation proceedings against him. The case was filed over remarks he made about Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a press conference in Bengaluru in 2018.

At the event, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Amit Shah was an accused in a murder case. Following these comments, BJP worker Naveen Jha filed a defamation case against him. The trial court, while hearing the case, rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea for exemption from personal appearance. In response, Rahul approached the Jharkhand High Court seeking relief, but the court declined to intervene.

Subsequently, Rahul Gandhi moved the Supreme Court, filing a petition to quash the criminal defamation case and halt the trial court proceedings. Hearing the petition, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the trial court proceedings and served notices to the Jharkhand government and BJP leader Naveen Jha, asking for their responses within four weeks.

This decision has temporarily stalled the legal troubles for Rahul Gandhi in the case.