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Supreme Court Stays Rahul Gandhi’s Defamation Trial for 4 Weeks

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 10:53 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Supreme Court Halts Trial

India’s Supreme Court stayed criminal defamation trial against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notices to Maharashtra government and BJP complainant Mahesh Shrishrimal.
The bench ordered a four-week response period and halted the trial.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued the defamation law was settled.
The case stems from Gandhi’s September 20, 2018 rally remarks calling Modi “commander-in-thief” and “Choro ke Sardar”.

Summary

Opposition Seeks Audit

Opposition leaders petitioned the Supreme Court to halt the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
They asked for an independent audit of voter deletions and EVMs by a retired Supreme Court judge.
The plea also demands the Election Commission publish booth-wise deleted voter lists with reasons and demographics.
Chief Justice Surya Kant refused Rahul Gandhi’s meeting request, labeling the issue sub judice.

History

Historical Context

In 2015 the Supreme Court of India, hearing Shreya Singhal’s petition, declared Section 66A of the 2000 IT Act unconstitutional, noting its vague language and potential three-year imprisonment penalty. The ruling limited government-driven prosecutions of online speech. Today, the same court’s decision to pause Rahul Gandhi’s defamation case echoes that precedent, reinforcing judicial checks on politically motivated litigation.

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Supreme Court Halts Trial

India’s Supreme Court stayed criminal defamation trial against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notices to Maharashtra government and BJP complainant Mahesh Shrishrimal.
The bench ordered a four-week response period and halted the trial.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued the defamation law was settled.
The case stems from Gandhi’s September 20, 2018 rally remarks calling Modi “commander-in-thief” and “Choro ke Sardar”.

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