The Madhya Pradesh High Court has concluded defamation proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, initiated by Kartikey Singh Chauhan, the son of Union Minister and former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The case, Rahul Gandhi v. Kartikey Singh Chauhan, stemmed from allegations that Gandhi had wrongfully associated Chauhan with the Panama Papers controversy in 2018.
Justice Pramod Kumar Agrawal presided over the decision to close the case after Gandhi expressed regret for his statement. Gandhi clarified that he had issued a correction shortly after making the alleged defamatory remark, which was delivered during the 2018 Madhya Pradesh Assembly election campaign. He explained that his intention was to refer to the son of the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, not Madhya Pradesh.
The court’s decision was influenced by Kartikey Singh Chauhan’s willingness to drop the matter after Gandhi issued his apology. The court’s order stated, “Considering the statement of the applicant mentioned in I.A. No. 14821/2026 and the reply filed to the aforesaid IA as well as arguments advanced by learned counsel for both sides wherein regret has been expressed by the applicant, the proceedings before this Court are closed. Proceedings pending before the JMFC, Special Judge (MP & MLA) complaint case no. SCPPM No. 03/2018 Bhopal shall also stand closed.”
Rahul Gandhi was represented by senior advocates Vivek Krishna Tankha and Ajay Gupta, alongside advocates Aishwarya Sahu and Rajeev Mishra. Advocate Sankalp Kochar appeared on behalf of the respondent, Kartikey Singh Chauhan.
The closure of this case underscores the significance of prompt clarification and apology in defamation disputes, potentially averting protracted legal battles.
