Gujarat HC refuses to stay defamation proceedings against Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh in PM’s degree case

Justice Dave denies interim relief to Kejriwal, Singh in Gujarat Univ. defamation case over PM Modi's degree. Complainant alleges their comments were "sarcastic" and "defamatory" to hurt the university's prestige. They had sought stay on criminal proceedings.

Justice Samir Dave of Gujarat High Court has declined to give any interim relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and refused to stay proceedings against them in a criminal defamation complaint filed by Gujarat University in PM Modi’s degree case.

Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Singh earlier approached the Gujarat High Court for a stay on the criminal defamation proceedings against them.

A metropolitan court earlier summoned the two leaders on August 11 in the defamation case filed by the Gujarat University over their “sarcastic” and “derogatory” statement in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree.

Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Singh had filed a revision application in the sessions court challenging the metropolitan court’s summons in the defamation case.

They sought interim relief from the sessions court during the pendency of their main application, which was rejected by the court last Saturday, after which they approached the Gujarat High Court.

Gujarat University’s registrar Piyush Patel filed a defamation case against the two leaders over their comments after the Gujarat High Court set aside the Chief Information Commissioner’s order on PM Modi’s degree.

They made “defamatory” statements in press conferences and on Twitter, targeting the university over PM Modi’s degree, the complainant said, adding that their comments targeting the Gujarat University were defamatory and hurt the prestige of the university which has established its name among the public.