Delhi High Court Seeks Union Minister’s Response in Ashok Gehlot’s Defamation Appeal

Delhi High Court Seeks Union Minister's Response in Ashok Gehlot's Defamation Appeal

VoM News Desk | December 20, 2023 | 08:03 PM IST | Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Delhi High Court Seeks Union Minister’s Response in Ashok Gehlot’s Defamation Appeal

Delhi High Court Seeks Union Minister’s Response in Ashok Gehlot’s Defamation Appeal

The Delhi High Court has summoned Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to address an appeal lodged by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot concerning his summoning in a criminal defamation case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 22, 2024. Gehlot contests a sessions court’s ruling that dismissed his appeal against the summoning in the complaint filed by Shekhawat.

Previously, the sessions court had affirmed the additional chief metropolitan magistrate’s summoning order, citing no factual inaccuracies, illegalities, or improper findings.

Represented by senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, Shekhawat alleged Gehlot publicly defamed him through press conferences, media reports, and social media posts, associating him with the Sanjivani scam in Rajasthan.

This scam purportedly involved defrauding thousands of investors of around Rs 900 crore with the promise of unusually high returns.

The sessions court acknowledged Pahwa’s argument that during the summoning of an accused, the magisterial court need not delve into detailed discussions on evidence correctness or admissibility. Such assessments are reserved for trial conclusions based on the presented evidence.

Despite Gehlot’s plea to halt the proceedings, the trial court permitted him to appear before a metropolitan magistrate via video conference. Shekhawat, the Union Jal Shakti Minister and MP from Jodhpur, accused Gehlot of making defamatory statements regarding the alleged scam, aimed at tarnishing his image and political career.

Earlier, the magisterial court observed that Gehlot’s statements made prima facie defamatory allegations against Shekhawat, suggesting Gehlot was aware of the implications and intended harm to Shekhawat’s reputation.

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