Union Minister Shekhawat's Criminal Defamation Case Against CM Gehlot Advances: Delhi Court Denies Stay

In a criminal complaint filed by Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for alleged defamation, a Delhi court on Tuesday refused to stay the proceedings.

However, the court allowed the Congress leader to appear before a metropolitan magistrate through video conference.

The special judge of the MPs, MLAs court, M K Nagpal noted that it may not be practically convenient and necessary for Gehlot to physically appear before the magisterial court on 7 August 2023, as an accused.

Nevertheless, the judge saw no reason to stay the proceedings.

Instead, Gehlot was permitted to participate in the proceedings through video conferencing.

Following Shekhawat's complaint regarding Gehlot's remarks linking him to the alleged Sanjivani scam, a magisterial court has summoned the Congress leader to appear on 7 August.

This case involves allegations of thousands of investors being defrauded of approximately Rs 900 crore by the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society.

The judge has scheduled a further hearing on Gehlot's application against the proceedings for 19 August.

The judge also instructed Shekhawat to submit a formal reply and detailed arguments on both the facts and the law.

The judge emphasised that the court can only consider and evaluate the legal and factual issues raised by both parties after the arguments.

The Union 'Jal Shakti' Minister and MP from Jodhpur, Shekhawat, has filed a complaint before the metropolitan magistrate, accusing Gehlot of making defamatory remarks against him.

Shekhawat claims that Gehlot's actions are aimed at tarnishing his image and damaging his political career.

According to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal, the accused has prima facie made defamatory statements against the complainant, with the intention of harming his reputation.

The magistrate believes that there is enough evidence to support this claim.

The judge also considered the arguments put forth by senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, who represented Shekhawat.

Pahwa stated that the allegations made in the complaint were supported by all the witnesses who testified during the deposition.

In his complaint, Shekhawat alleges that Gehlot publicly defamed him through press conferences, media reports, and social media posts. These actions have caused harm to his reputation and he seeks legal recourse.