BJP Leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar Files Defamation Complaint Against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor
New Delhi [India], September 21: The Rouse Avenue court has acknowledged a defamation complaint filed by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. Chandrasekhar claims that Tharoor made false statements during an interview, accusing him of bribing voters in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency. Chandrasekhar alleges that these statements damaged his reputation and contributed to his loss in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Divya Malhotra reviewed the case and scheduled a hearing for October 4 to gather preliminary evidence. The court noted that the materials presented suggest potential violations under Sections 500 and 171G of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Senior advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey, along with Vaibhav Gaggar, represented Chandrasekhar. They argued that Tharoor’s statements were false and intended to harm Chandrasekhar’s reputation and electoral prospects. The interview was broadcasted on various news channels and social media platforms, further spreading the alleged defamatory remarks.
The complaint was filed under Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.), along with Sections 499, 500, and 171G of the IPC. The court has also accepted an amended version of the complaint.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
Defamation -: Defamation means saying or writing something false about someone that harms their reputation.
Congress MP -: Congress MP means a Member of Parliament from the Indian National Congress party, another major political party in India.
Rouse Avenue court -: Rouse Avenue court is a special court in Delhi that handles cases related to politicians and public servants.
Thiruvananthapuram -: Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of the Indian state of Kerala.
Lok Sabha elections -: Lok Sabha elections are held to choose members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament.
Sections 500 and 171G of the IPC -: These are parts of the Indian Penal Code. Section 500 deals with punishment for defamation, and Section 171G deals with false statements in connection with an election.