Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (L) and Union Home Minister Amit Shah (R).
Credit: PTI File Photos
New Delhi: In a relief for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the trial court proceedings in the defamation case filed against him for his alleged remark on Union Minister Amit Shah, calling him "murder accused".
A bench led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Jharkhand government and the complainant, acting on a petition filed by Rahul Gandhi.
Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the petitioner, submitted, contended this was a case of proxy filing of complaint as the aggrieved person has not filed the complaint.
The counsel relied upon previous judgment which emphasised that only aggrieved person can file a defamation complaint.
"Issue notice...all the proceedings before the trial court would remain stayed till further orders," the bench said.
The issue arose out of a complaint filed by BJP worker Navin Jha, seeking action against Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on March 18, 2018 terming the BJP leaders as "liars" and "drunk with power".
The High Court has declined to interfere with the proceedings initiated against Rahul Gandhi under Sections 499 and 500 IPC.
The senior Congress leader had contested the decision of a magisterial court in Ranchi, which instructed him to personally appear before the court to undergo trial.