The Delhi High Court on Monday (February 3, 2025) summoned Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on a defamation plea filed by BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar.
“Let the plaint be registered as a suit. Issue summons to the defendant [Mr. Tharoor]. List before the joint registrar on April 28,” Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said, posting the matter for April 28.
In his suit, Mr. Chandrasekhar has asserted that “false and defamatory” statements were made on public forums by Mr. Tharoor during the Lok Sabha elections in April 2024 which “severely damaged his professional and personal reputation”.
Mr. Chandrasekhar had last year sent a legal notice to Mr. Tharoor, accusing him of making defamatory statements against him on a TV channel.
Mr. Chandrasekhar, who lost to Mr. Tharoor in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, has alleged that the Congress leader disseminated “patently false information” regarding bribing of key voters and influential figures such as parish priests, among others.
The BJP leader has sought for an order to restrain Mr. Tharoor from making any defamatory statements against him. He has also sought a public apology and damages of ₹10 crore for defaming and tarnishing his reputation.
Mr. Chandrasekhar was represented by senior advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, who was briefed by law firm Karanjawala and Company.
