Complainant Urges Supreme Court to Expedite Listing of Defamation Appeal Against Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: A legal dispute regarding a criminal defamation case filed against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi took a procedural turn on Wednesday as the complainant requested the Supreme Court to intervene in the listing of the matter. The grievance centers on allegations that the court’s registry has failed to place the appeal on the active docket, with the petitioner suggesting that the high-profile nature of the respondent might be influencing the delay.
The defamation case stems from comments made by Rahul Gandhi concerning alleged Chinese incursions into Indian territory. While the proceedings currently remain stayed under an earlier Supreme Court order, the complainant expressed frustration over the lack of movement regarding the final adjudication of the appeal.
Tensions Rise in Courtroom
During the proceedings, senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, addressed the bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Bhatia pointed out that the Supreme Court had issued a stay on the criminal defamation proceedings against the Congress leader on August 4 of last year. He argued that despite a specific timeline previously discussed for the hearing of the appeal, the matter has remained dormant.
Bhatia further insinuated that the registry’s hesitation to list the case might be linked to the political prominence of the individual involved. This remark drew an immediate reaction from the legal team representing the Leader of the Opposition. S. Prasanna, appearing on behalf of Rahul Gandhi, voiced strong objections to Bhatia’s claims. Prasanna urged the bench to disregard the insinuation, asserting that the procedural delays should not be framed through the lens of political speculation or the status of the accused.
Court Directs Formal Application
The exchange highlighted the growing friction between the parties involved in the litigation. After hearing the conflicting arguments from both sides, the bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant intervened to streamline the process. The court clarified that the registry operates based on specific procedural mandates and directed Gaurav Bhatia to file a formal application seeking an early hearing of the appeal.
By mandating a formal application, the bench has paved a path for the matter to be prioritized for listing, provided it adheres to the court’s administrative protocols. The court’s intervention serves as a reminder that regardless of the parties involved, the judicial process requires adherence to formal filing norms to ensure timely placement on the hearing board.
As the case continues to draw national attention, all eyes remain on the Supreme Court’s calendar to see when this long-standing defamation appeal will finally be taken up for a substantive hearing. For now, the stay on the original proceedings remains in effect, and the legal battle remains locked in a procedural holding pattern pending the submission of the requested application.
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