In a recent development, the Gujarat High Court has declined to expedite the handling of two petitions filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. These petitions sought to challenge the summons issued against them for alleged criminal defamation in connection to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualifications.
Senior advocate Percy Kavina, along with advocate Aum Kotwal, who represented the AAP leaders, had requested an urgent hearing and scheduling of the petitions for September 21. They argued that the Ahmedabad magistrate court was slated to address the criminal defamation cases on September 23. Kavina emphasized the need for speedy trials. However, Justice Samir Dave of the Gujarat High Court declined to issue any directives for an expedited hearing.
Previously, Kejriwal and Singh had sought a review of the summons issued by the magistrate court, which had been dismissed by the Ahmedabad sessions court on September 14. Following this rejection, the AAP leaders approached the Gujarat High Court on September 16 to challenge the summons. The case revolves around allegations of criminal defamation against them.
The complaint was filed by Gujarat University registrar Piyush Patel, who accused Kejriwal and Singh of defamation based on their statements, including questioning the authenticity of Prime Minister Modi's degrees. Patel alleged that these statements, made during press conferences and disseminated through social media, were damaging to the university's reputation. The alleged defamatory remarks were made in response to a Central Information Commission (CIC) order that had instructed the university to "search for information" regarding PM Modi's degrees.
