New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): A Delhi courtroom on Tuesday reserved the order on the purpose of issuance of summons in a defamation case filed by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat towards Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the latter’s “misleading statements” in relation to the alleged Sanjeevani rip-off.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harpreet Singh has listed the matter for order on the issuance of summons on June 24, 2023, after the conclusion of submission and recording of pre-summoning of proof within the matter.
Appearing for Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa submitted that Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot is a Chief Minister of the state and he is speaking a few pending investigation. The query is who’s accountable for this investigation. CrPC doesn’t recognise the Chief Minister, he cannot entry the Chargesheet even, if it goes to the courtroom.
“Under the Rajasthan Police rules, there is no role of anyone except the police force, not even the CM or someone from the Home Department. Making false statements without having any access to the investigation officially…the statements are defamatory to me and he can’t claim protection under 197 by going out in public and disclosing a close door investigation,” Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa argued.
“The act which is involved in this case, he had no business in making these false statements against his colleague and giving false information public at large it is an act of defamation,” mentioned Pahwa whereas concluding his submissions.
Shekhawat filed a defamation case towards Gehlot earlier this month, claiming that the latter made defamatory statements towards him in reference to the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society rip-off.
Earlier, the Court had directed Delhi police to analyze whether or not the complainant Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was addressed as ‘an accused’ within the Sanjeevani Scam by the accused herein Ashok Gehlot?, Whether the accused Ashok Gehlot acknowledged that the allegations towards the complainant Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stand proved within the Sanjeevani Scam ? and Whether the complainant Gajendra Singh Shekhawat or his relations have been arrayed as ‘an accused’ within the investigation of the Sanjeevani Scam?The courtroom acknowledged that the legislative mandate as is supplied u/s 202 CrPC (contemplating the truth that the accused is residing outdoors the native jurisdiction of this courtroom), this courtroom directs aninvestigation into the matter, by Delhi Police. Keeping in thoughts the sensitivity of the matter, it’s directed that the Joint Commissioner involved shall monitor the investigation.
Earlier, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa appeared for Shekhawat who sought prosecution towards Gehlot for allegedly making defamatory speeches towards him and submitted that it’s a contemporary grievance moved by the Union Minister towards the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and mentioned that “There is an irreparable damage caused to his reputation.””This matter pertains to a case in which FIR was registered in 2019. Three charge sheets have been filed. Shekhawat’s name has not appeared anywhere. He was not called by the Investigation officer. Despite this Gehlot said the allegations against Shekhawat have been proven,” Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa informed to ANI. (ANI)