The Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to quash summons issued to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case over his “commander-in-thief” remark against PM Narendra Modi. Justice N R Borkar dismissed Gandhi’s petition challenging a Girgaum Magistrate’s August 28, 2019 order issuing process on a complaint filed by BJP member M H Shrishrimal, observing no “perversity and illegality” warranting interference under Section 482 CrPC. The complaint pertains to Gandhi’s September 2018 speech in Rajasthan during 2019 Lok Sabha campaign where he allegedly called Modi “commander-in-thief” and “choron ke sardar” over the Rafale fighter jet deal. The Court rejected Gandhi’s argument that Shrishrimal was not an aggrieved party, holding BJP is a “determinate body” and Modi being its prominent face, remarks against him can affect members. The HC however continued its 2021 interim protection deferring magistrate proceedings for 6 weeks to enable Gandhi to appeal to the Supreme Court. Post navigation Karnataka High Court Allows Private Complaint Against Mallikarjun Kharge Family Trust Over ‘Illegal’ BDA Land Allotment To Proceed
