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The BJP had alleged that Revanth Reddy connived with the Telangana Congress to develop a fake “political narrative” that the BJP would end reservations if it were voted to power.
A trial court said in August last year that a prima facie case was made against Revanth Reddy for the alleged offences of defamation. (File)
Don’t use this court for political battles, the Supreme Court remarked on Monday while dismissing a plea by the BJP’s Telangana unit challenging a high court order that quashed a defamation case against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy over his speech during the 2024 Lok Sabha poll campaign.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Atul S Chandurkar said it was not inclined to interfere in the matter and observed: “We are time and again saying don’t use this court for political battles. Dismissed. If you are a politician, then you should have a thick skin.”
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On August 1, the Telangana High Court acted on Reddy’s plea seeking the quashing of the proceedings in the case pending in a Hyderabad trial court.
What’s The Defamation Case?
The BJP alleged that Revanth Reddy connived with the Telangana Congress to develop a fake and dubious political narrative that the BJP would end reservations if it were voted to power.
The BJP’s Telangana unit, represented by its general secretary, filed a complaint in May 2024 against Reddy, alleging that he delivered a defamatory and provocative speech against the party. The complainant claimed that the alleged defamatory speech lowered the BJP’s reputation as a political party.
A trial court said in August last year that a prima facie case was made against Reddy for the alleged offences of defamation under the erstwhile Indian Penal Code and under Section 125 of The Representation of the People Act, 1951. Section 125 of the Act deals with promoting enmity between classes in connection with an election.
Reddy challenged the trial court order in the high court, contending that the allegations in the complaint do not make a prima facie case against him. He argued that political speeches cannot be made a subject matter of defamation.
The high court agreed with Reddy’s contention that in the case of political speeches, the threshold to allege defamation and maintain a complaint under Section 199 of the CrPC should be much higher.
“Political speeches are often exaggerated. To allege that such speeches are defamatory is another exaggeration,” the high court said.
While allowing Reddy’s plea, the high court quashed the trial court order and the proceedings arising out of the case.
(with PTI inputs)
About the Author
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
September 08, 2025, 14:24 IST
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