In a relief for Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, a Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The court ruled that the complaint lacked the necessary ingredients to establish defamation.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal refused to summon Tharoor, stating that there was no prima facie case against him. Chandrasekhar had sought an injunction restraining Tharoor from making further statements, a public apology, and ₹10 crore in damages, alleging that Tharoor’s remarks had tarnished his reputation.
The BJP leader’s complaint centered around Tharoor’s alleged statements made during a television interview in April 2024, where he reportedly accused Chandrasekhar of offering money to voters during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Chandrasekhar argued that these remarks were false and intended to damage his reputation and influence the election outcome.
While the criminal case has been dismissed, a separate civil defamation suit filed by Chandrasekhar is still pending. On Monday, the Delhi High Court took cognizance of the matter and summoned Tharoor, directing that the case be listed before the joint registrar on April 28.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav stated, “Let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons to the defendant (Tharoor). List before the joint registrar on April 28.”
With the criminal defamation plea being dismissed, Tharoor has received a significant legal reprieve, though the civil suit continues to be under judicial scrutiny.
Sources By Agencies