The Delhi High Court sought the response of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on a plea filed by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, challenging the dismissal of his defamation complaint.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja, hearing the revision petition, stated that the matter “requires consideration” and formally issued a notice to Tharoor, asking him to respond. The case stems from comments made by Tharoor during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he allegedly accused Chandrasekhar of bribing voters in Thiruvananthapuram, the constituency where both leaders were electoral contenders.
Allegations Against Tharoor
According to Chandrasekhar, Tharoor made “false and derogatory” remarks on national television, claiming that the BJP leader was involved in voter bribery during the election campaign. Chandrasekhar contends these statements were made “with the intent to lower his reputation and to influence the election outcome,” while Tharoor allegedly knew the statements were untrue.
The BJP leader claims these remarks not only harmed his public image but also potentially impacted the result of the general election.
Lower Court’s Dismissal
Earlier this year, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal dismissed Chandrasekhar’s defamation complaint, stating that the allegations, even if taken at face value, did not fulfill the legal requirements of defamation.
In his February 4 order, Magistrate Dalal ruled that no prima facie case was made out, and hence refused to summon Tharoor. The court noted that the statements in question did not meet the threshold of criminal defamation under relevant legal provisions.
Arguments Before The High Court
During the hearing at the Delhi High Court, senior counsel for Mr. Chandrasekhar argued that the lower court had overlooked key evidence while passing the dismissal order. The counsel maintained that Tharoor’s public statements were not only baseless but were made with clear malice and political intent, directly harming Chandrasekhar’s standing in the eyes of the electorate.
Next Hearing
The High Court has now put the matter up for further hearing on September 16, 2025. Tharoor has been asked to present his response by then.
This case marks another instance where political speech during heated election campaigns has led to prolonged legal scrutiny. The High Court’s decision to entertain the revision petition signals that the judiciary will examine whether political allegations made during elections can cross into the territory of criminal defamation.
The outcome could have implications for how far candidates can go in their campaign rhetoric without attracting criminal liability.
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