A Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed a criminal defamation complaint filed by former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal ruled that the complaint did not establish a prima facie case of defamation and refused to summon Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha.

Chandrasekhar, a BJP leader, had alleged that Tharoor made false and derogatory statements on national television, accusing him of bribing voters in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The complaint stated that these remarks were intended to tarnish Chandrasekhar’s reputation and influence the election outcome. The statements, broadcast on various news channels and shared on social media, allegedly contributed to his electoral defeat, he claimed.

The court had taken cognizance of the complaint on September 21, 2024.

In a separate development, the Delhi High Court on Monday summoned Tharoor in a civil defamation suit filed by Chandrasekhar, who is seeking ₹10 crore in damages for alleged reputational harm.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav scheduled the matter for hearing on April 28.