Shekhawat vs Gehlot case: Telling truth is not defamation, Rajasthan CM to court
Oct 16, 2023
New Delhi [India], October 16 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's counsel on Monday argued that an FIR was registered by the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police.
This fact was suppressed by the complainant and Union Minister Gajender Singh Shekhawat.
It was also submitted that if the truth is told, that is not defamation.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal heard the arguments on behalf of Ashok Gehlot in a defamation case filed by Union Minister Gajender Singh Shekhawat.
The court has listed further hearing on October 20 at 10.30 am.
Senior counsel Ramesh Gupta appeared for Ashok Gehlot and submitted that Gajender Shekhawat filed a reply to the SOG in an inquiry related to the Sanjivani cooperative scam.
An FIR was lodged by the SOG Rajasthan in 2020. He suppressed this fact from the court, senior counsel Gupta argued.
He referred to the replies filed on behalf of all accused in the Sanjivani cooperative scam.
Senior advocate Ramesh Gupta submitted that They are accused in the Sanjivani cooperative scam as per the record.
Gehlot never said that the complainant had been convicted in the case. The complainant is also an accused in the Sanjivani cooperative case, Gupta argued.
He referred to the media clip of 19 and 21 February 2023. The complainant's statement recorded in the court which is totally Contradictory to the record, he added.
The senior advocate further argued that the Statement reported in media is not admissible unless the concerned reporter is examined.
A report was filed by the SOG on 13 April in Jodhpur and the same was provided to Delhi police, he added.
An application was moved seeking the transfer of the case to the CBI from the local police by the accused in the Sanjivani cooperative case.
The complainant suppressed and deliberately not pointed out the report. It was stated that prima facie it appears the involvement, the senior counsel submitted.
The senior advocate also submitted, "If I am telling the truth, it is not defamation."
While concluding his arguments counsel for Ashok Gehlot said that a case of defamation is not made out against the accused.
On the next date of hearing the court will hear the rebuttal arguments on behalf of the complainant.
