Delhi HC Rejects Plea To Prosecute Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, And Akhilesh Yadav For Spreading False Information
The Court emphasized that it should not underestimate the wisdom of the Indian voter and declined to intervene.
The Delhi High Court dismissed a writ petition seeking directions against the Union Government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prosecute politicians Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and Akhilesh Yadav for allegedly making misleading and false statements damaging India's image and credibility. The Petitioner, a self-proclaimed social worker, placed reliance on politicians' statements regarding the alleged waving of loans by the Central Government of Rs. 15 or 16 lakh crores of Industrialists.
The PIL also sought directions against political parties Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Samajwadi Party, as well as media platforms News 24, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube to remove allegedly false and misleading statements.
The Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, opined that the individuals allegedly defamed by the politicians have legal recourse available to them and that the principle of relaxation of locus standi was not applicable in this case.
Case Title: Surjit Singh Yadav v Union Of India & Ors