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Supreme Court stays Rahul Gandhi defamation trial
The Hindu··4d ago
The Supreme Court on October 13, 2026 stayed further proceedings in a Maharashtra defamation case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. The case concerns his 2018 remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notices returnable in four weeks. Gandhi had challenged a September 8 Bombay High Court order that refused to quash the summons.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Trial-court hearings in the Maharashtra defamation case stay paused while the Supreme Court examines the plea.
- The Maharashtra government and complainant M H. Shrishrimal have four weeks to respond to notices.
- The Bench listed the matter for further hearing after that four-week period.
What's Happening
- Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi appeared for Gandhi and said the law on the point is settled.
- On September 8, the Bombay High Court refused to quash the 2019 Girgaum magistrate summons.
- The High Court had kept its 2021 deferral order so Gandhi could approach the Supreme Court.
What The Complaint Alleged
- Shrishrimal alleged Gandhi defamed PM Modi in a public speech on September 20, 2018, in Rajasthan.
- Hindustan Times reported the complaint also cited a later reference to Modi as commander in thief.
- Shrishrimal told the High Court that as a BJP member he too was aggrieved by the remarks.
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