Today, the Supreme Court rejected a petition by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, challenge the criminal defamation case filed against him by the Gujarat University Registrar.

The case stems from Kejriwal's comments regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualifications.

A division bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti dismissed the petition, noting that the Supreme Court had previously rejected a similar petition in April this year, filed by co-accused Sanjay Singh, challenging the same defamation proceedings.

The bench, observing that the Court must maintain a consistent approach, stated it was not inclined to entertain Kejriwal's petition, given the stance taken in Sanjay Singh's case. However, the bench clarified in its order that all arguments remain open for determination during the trial and that it had not examined the merits of the case.

During the course of hearing, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that he merely questioned why the University was not disclosing Prime Minister Modi's degree and speculated whether it was due to the degree being fake.

Singhvi further mentioned that if the statement was defamatory, it should be for Modi, not the Gujarat University Registrar, to file a criminal defamation case. He added that the remarks could not, by any interpretation, be considered defamatory towards the University itself.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, representing the University, directed the bench's attention to the order issued in Sanjay Singh's case. In response, Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi sought to differentiate Kejriwal's case, arguing that Sanjay Singh's statements were distinct from those made by Kejriwal.

Singhvi said that the whole intention was to disqualify him from political life by securing a conviction in the defamation case.

"The Idea is to disqualify me from political life...all for asking the degree of the Chief of the Executive.." Singhvi said. He requested the bench to grant him an opportunity to file a statement of regret and a chart showing how his statements were different from Sanjay Singh's.

In its reply, the Court informed Singhvi that it could allow him to present his arguments but cautioned that if the arguments were heard, the petitioner would not be permitted to withdraw the case, and a decision on the merits would be delivered.

Ultimately, the petition was dismissed in light of the order passed in Sanjay Singh's case, without delving into the merits of the matter.

ARVIND KEJRIWAL Vs PIYUSH M. PATEL |D No. 11230/2024