NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with alleged derogatory remarks made about the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022.While granting relief, a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant, Udai Shanker Srivastava, in the case.The bench, however, expressed strong disapproval of Gandhi’s comments, saying, “If you are a true Indian, you wouldn’t say such a thing.”“You are the Leader of the Opposition. Say things in Parliament, why do you have to post them on social media?” the court asked. The bench also questioned Gandhi’s assertion that 2,000 sq km of land had been occupied by China, calling the statement inappropriate.The Allahabad High Court had earlier, on May 29, dismissed Gandhi’s plea seeking quashing of the summoning order issued by a Lucknow court.Gandhi had argued that the complaint was politically motivated and filed with mala fide intent.Srivastava, the complainant, had alleged that Gandhi’s comments during the Yatra were defamatory and disrespected the armed forces in the context of the India-China border standoff.
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