Supreme Court halts defamation trial against Rahul Gandhi over Modi remarks

The Supreme Court on Tuesday intervened in a defamation case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, issuing a stay on further proceedings before a trial court in Maharashtra. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notices to the Maharashtra government and complainant M H Shrishrimal, directing them to file their responses within four weeks.

The court's decision came on Gandhi's appeal challenging a September 8 order by the Bombay High Court, which had refused to quash summons issued to the Raebareli MP in the defamation case. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Gandhi, argued that established Supreme Court precedents supported quashing the summons in this matter.

"Issue notice returnable in four weeks. Further proceedings before the trial court shall remain stayed," the bench ordered. The case pertains to remarks made by Gandhi against the Prime Minister during the 2019 period. The Supreme Court has scheduled the matter for further hearing after the four-week period, once responses are received from the respondents.