Delhi court dismisses defamation case against Shashi Tharoor
What's the story
A Delhi court has thrown out a criminal defamation complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Paras Dalal held that the complaint didn't establish "any ingredients of defamation."
Chandrasekhar had accused Tharoor of making false and derogatory remarks on national television, alleging voter bribery in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Accusations detailed
Chandrasekhar's allegations and demands from Tharoor
Chandrasekhar alleged that Tharoor's statements were aimed at ruining his reputation and swaying the election results.
He demanded a public apology from Tharoor, a restraint on him from making any defamatory statements, and ₹10 crore damages for allegedly defaming and tarnishing his reputation.
The court had taken cognizance of these complaints on September 21, 2024.
Ongoing litigation
Tharoor summoned in separate defamation suit
In a related development, the Delhi High Court has summoned Tharoor in a separate defamation suit filed by Chandrasekhar. In this suit, Chandrasekhar is seeking ₹10 crore in damages for reputational harm.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav has scheduled the matter for April 28. The court stated, "Let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons to the defendant (Tharoor). List before the joint registrar on April 28."