Supreme Court Assures Equal Treatment in Rahul Gandhi Defamation Case
2 sources · India
Who reported this
- The Hindu
- The Indian Express
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- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated on Wednesday that all matters and parties are treated equally in the Supreme Court. The comment followed allegations from senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, who represents complainant Uday Shankar Srivastava, a former Border Roads Organisation Director. The case involves a defamation complaint against Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding alleged 2020 remarks that Chinese soldiers were beating up Indian Army personnel.
Mr. Bhatia, who is also a BJP spokesperson, argued that the matter had been repeatedly adjourned and was not listed for a scheduled April 22, 2026, hearing. He suggested that the delay might be due to the stature of Mr. Gandhi, stating that the leader should not be treated as a VVIP. Mr. Bhatia further requested that the case be de tagged from two other criminal defamation matters involving The Wire news portal. He claimed that Mr. Gandhi's side was using dilatory tactics to avoid a hearing.
Advocate Prasanna S. representing Mr. Gandhi, objected to these submissions and argued that such statements should not be permitted in court. The Supreme Court bench, which included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, directed Mr. Bhatia to file an application for the de tagging request.
The legal proceedings began after a Lucknow court issued summons to Mr. Gandhi in February 2025. Following a declined request to quash the summons by the Allahabad High Court in May 2025, Mr. Gandhi approached the Supreme Court, which stayed the proceedings in August 2025.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- The report highlighted the political identity of the petitioner's counsel as a BJP spokesperson and included the defense's objection to the allegations.
- Centre
- The report focused on the procedural details of the de tagging request and the specific timeline of the court orders.
Sources
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