Gujarat HC issues notice to GU registrar over PM Modi’s degree controversy

Updated on Oct 12, 5.40 p.m.

The Gujarat High Court today served a notice to Gujarat University (GU), addressing its Registrar, Piyush Patel.

The development followed the petitions filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh.

The court scheduled the next hearing for Nov 3, by which the notice should be responded to.

Updated on Sept 22, 5.15 p.m.

The Gujarat high court today declined to grant a priority hearing to the pleas of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh for the second time, and scheduled the matter for a hearing on Sept 26. 

Kejriwal and Singh had approached the high court seeking the quashing of summons issued by an Ahmedabad magistrate court regarding the alleged defamation of Gujarat University over PM Narendra Modi’s degree. Previously, Justice Dave had refused to grant urgent listing of the two petitions on Sept 18. Senior advocate Rebecca John, representing the petitioners, requested a priority hearing on Friday, but justice Dave stated that “it was not possible on that day".

Justice Dave also mentioned that “the court was not sitting for a post-lunch session”. Despite John's request for a 10-minute hearing, justice Dave reiterated his decision not to prioritize the case. 

Updated on Sept 14, 6 p.m.

Ahmedabad court rejects Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh’s plea in defamation case, upholds summons

Ahmedabad sessions court today declined to quash the summons issued to two AAP leaders - Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh, which was issued by a trial court in a defamation case. A comprehensive order elaborating the court’s decision is expected to be made public later in the day.

The decision came from the court of additional sessions Judge JM Brahmbhatt, who dismissed the criminal revision applications filed by the two leaders.

Initially, they were summoned to appear before the court on April 15 and were subsequently issued fresh summons on May 23.

Gujarat Sessions Court today turned down the pleas of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh for an interim stay on their trial in a criminal defamation case.

The case was filed by Gujarat University, following the AAP leaders alleged “sarcastic” and “derogatory” statements about prime minister Narendra Modi’s degree.

The court’s rejection of the interim stay requests signifies that the trial will proceed as planned on the given date.

The court of sessions judge A J Kanani dismissed the applications and directed the AAP leaders to appear in court on Aug 11 in response to the previously issued summons.

The defamation case against Kejriwal and Singh was initiated by Gujarat University registrar Piyush Patel after their remarks made during a press conference and on Twitter about PM Modi’s degree.

The university claimed that these comments were “defamatory” and “damaging” the reputation of the institution.

Although the Sessions Court denied interim relief, the matter has been scheduled for the next hearing. Kejriwal and Singh’s legal counsel, Punit Juneja, stated that they intend to seek relief before the Gujarat High Court. The Metropolitan Court had summoned the AAP leaders based on prima facie evidence under section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

This decision comes after the Gujarat High Court set aside an order of the Chief Information Commissioner related to PM Modi’s degree, leading to the filing of the defamation case against Kejriwal and Singh.

(Source: IANS)

-Edited for style

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