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The Supreme Court of India has dealt a blow to Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi Chief Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), by dismissing his petition challenging a criminal defamation case filed against him by Gujarat University. The case stems from Kejriwal's public comments questioning the validity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualifications, specifically his degree from Gujarat University. Kejriwal's remarks were perceived by the university as derogatory and damaging to its reputation, leading to the filing of a criminal defamation suit by the university's registrar, Piyush Patel, against Kejriwal and fellow AAP leader Sanjay Singh.
The controversy surrounding PM Modi's degree first emerged in 2016 when Kejriwal, seeking transparency, requested information about the degree from both Delhi University and Gujarat University through the Central Information Commission (CIC). The CIC directed the universities to disclose the information, but the Gujarat High Court intervened in July 2016, upholding the CIC's order and preventing the release of the details. Kejriwal's subsequent attempts to challenge this decision, culminating in the current petition filed in the Supreme Court, have been unsuccessful. The Gujarat High Court dismissed his previous petition in February 2023, and the Supreme Court has now reaffirmed that decision.
The Supreme Court's dismissal of Kejriwal's petition signifies a significant setback for him. It upholds the legal proceedings initiated by Gujarat University and confirms the validity of the criminal defamation case against him. This ruling highlights the potential consequences of making public statements that are deemed to be defamatory and damaging to the reputation of individuals or institutions. The case underscores the importance of responsible communication and the legal ramifications of unsubstantiated claims, especially when targeting public figures.
Source: Setback For Arvind Kejriwal In PM Modi Gujarat University Degree Case