Supreme Court stays trial court proceedings in the criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi

National Judgment Polity & Governance

Supreme Court stays trial court proceedings in the criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi

14 October 2026

A Supreme Court bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh ordered that further proceedings before the trial court shall remain stayed.
The case is Rahul Gandhi v. State of Maharashtra, SLP (Crl) No. 19559 of 2026.
The complaint was filed by a BJP worker before a Metropolitan Magistrate over remarks made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Magistrate had issued process under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which punishes defamation.
The Bombay High Court had declined to quash the case by an order of 8 September.
The Supreme Court issued notice returnable in four weeks.

Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh Case: SLP (Crl) No. 19559 of 2026 Provision: Section 500, Indian Penal Code Notice: Returnable in four weeks

Why it matters for exams: Criminal defamation under Section 500 IPC and the Supreme Court's power to stay proceedings under Article 136 are standard polity questions.

Kerala PSCUPSC

14 October 2026 Source: LiveLaw

In plain words

SLP Special Leave Petition — A petition under Article 136 of the Constitution asking the Supreme Court for leave to appeal against any judgment or order.