Wed Mar 19 07:31:52 UTC 2025: **Supreme Court Extends Stay on Defamation Case Against BJP Leaders**
NEW DELHI, March 19, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has extended its stay on the personal appearance of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan before a trial court in a criminal defamation case. The case was filed by Congress MP Vivek Tankha, who alleges that Chouhan, along with two other BJP leaders, V.D. Sharma and Bhupendra Singh, launched a defamatory campaign against him.
Tankha claims the BJP leaders falsely accused him of opposing OBC reservations in the 2021 Madhya Pradesh Panchayat elections, damaging his reputation. He is seeking ₹10 crore in compensation. The BJP leaders deny the allegations, arguing that statements made were protected under Article 194(2) of the Constitution, which grants immunity for statements made in the legislature.
The Supreme Court deferred the hearing until March 26, 2025, continuing its earlier stay on bailable warrants issued against the BJP leaders. The High Court of Madhya Pradesh had previously refused to quash the defamation case. The Supreme Court will now consider arguments from both sides before deciding the future of the case.
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