SC Upholds Summons Against Arvind Kejriwal In Criminal Defamation Case Over His Remarks About PM Narendra Modi’s Educational Degree

On October 21, 2024 (Today), the Supreme Court (SC) of India was hearing a petition filed by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against the Gujarat High Court’s decision that dismissed his petition challenging the summons issued in the criminal defamation case. Gujarat University Registrar filed a defamation case against Arvind Kejriwal over his remarks about Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s educational degree. The SC bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice SVN Bhatti dismissed Arvind Kejriwal’s petition pointing out that the top court had dismissed a similar petition, in April this year, filed by AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) lawmaker Sanjay Singh. It said, “We are not inclined to interfere since one appellant came before us and it was dismissed.” 

During the proceedings, Senior Advocate (SA) Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Arvind Kejriwal, submitted that the statements made in Sanjay Singh’s case were different. He added that Kejriwal merely asked the University why they were not publishing Modi’s degree and wondered if the degree was fake. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who appeared for the University, said, “The present complainant is in the habit of making reckless statements and then saying sorry. From the time of late Arun Jaitley. He should be more circumspect.” In context with this, SA Singhvi said, “The Idea is to disqualify me from political life...all for asking the degree of the Chief of the Executive…” After hearing the matter, the SC bench ordered, “It is seen that the complaint filed by respondent 1 (Gujarat University) pertained to not only the present petitioner but also Sanjay Singh whose plea was dismissed by this court on April 8, 2024. We must be consistent with that approach. Having regard to that view, we would not like to entertain the present plea. The same is dismissed.”