Modi Degree Case: No Relief To Arvind Kejriwal From SC, Criminal Defamation Proceedings To Continue In Gujarat HC

The Supreme Court declined to consider Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea contesting the Gujarat High Court's decision to reject his request for a halt to the criminal defamation proceedings initiated by Gujarat University. These proceedings stemmed from Kejriwal's comments regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualifications.

Gujarat University's Registrar, Piyush Patel, had filed a defamation lawsuit against Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, citing their alleged remarks following the Gujarat High Court's nullification of the Chief Information Commissioner's directive to release information about Modi's degrees under the RTI Act.

A bench composed of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti declined to issue notice on the plea, as the matter is already under consideration before the Gujarat High Court and is scheduled for a hearing on 29 August. The bench indicated that both Gujarat University and Kejriwal should voice their concerns before the High Court.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the high court's denial of interim relief in the defamation proceedings was unjustified.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the University, contended that Kejriwal had concealed facts.

On 11 August, the Gujarat High Court had rejected Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh's plea for an interim stay on the criminal defamation proceedings against them.

A metropolitan court in Gujarat had previously summoned Kejriwal and Singh in connection with the defamation case due to their "sarcastic" and "derogatory" comments regarding PM Modi's degree. A hearing for this matter is scheduled for 31 August.

The two AAP leaders later lodged a revision application in the sessions court, contesting the metropolitan court's summons. However, the sessions court denied their request for an interim stay on the trial on 7 August. Subsequently, they approached the Gujarat High Court. The sessions court is set to hear the revision application on 16 September.

Only Kejriwal pursued the matter to the Supreme Court, contesting the high court's 11 August ruling.

As per Patel's complaint, the two leaders made "defamatory" statements during press conferences and on X that targeted the university concerning Modi's degree.

Their remarks, directed at Gujarat University, were considered defamatory and damaging to the institution's reputation, which holds a distinguished standing among the public, according to the complainant.

Patel asserted, "Their statements were satirical and intentionally intended to tarnish the reputation of the university."

On 31 March, the Gujarat High Court invalidated a 2016 order from the Central Information Commission (CIC), which had mandated Gujarat University to furnish information about PM Modi's degree to Kejriwal.

The High Court observed that Kejriwal's RTI application seemed more "politically vexatious and motivated" than grounded in "sound public interest considerations."