Supreme Court Ends Vivek Tankha–Shivraj Singh Chouhan Defamation Case After Tankha Withdraws Suit
Apex court records settlement and closes criminal defamation proceedings after Congress MP Vivek Tankha withdraws civil and criminal cases against Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Supreme Court disposes of defamation case against Shivraj Singh Chouhan after complainant Vivek Tankha withdraws proceedings
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday closed all pending defamation proceedings against Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan after Congress MP Vivek Tankha withdrew both the civil defamation suit and the criminal complaint filed against him.
A Bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh and Justice N K Singh recorded the amicable settlement between the parties and disposed of Chouhan’s plea seeking quashing of the criminal defamation case, bringing the litigation to a close.
The dispute arose from statements made by Chouhan in 2021 in connection with Panchayat elections in Madhya Pradesh. At the time, Tankha, appearing as a senior advocate, had argued a matter before the Supreme Court relating to the conduct of Panchayat elections and reservation for Other Backward Classes. Tankha later alleged that BJP leaders, including Chouhan, had publicly misrepresented the Supreme Court’s interim orders and attributed the stay on elections to his supposed opposition to OBC reservation.
Claiming that these statements had harmed his reputation and triggered public backlash, Tankha initiated both civil and criminal defamation proceedings. The civil suit sought damages of Rs. 10 crore, while the criminal complaint invoked Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code.
Chouhan challenged the criminal defamation proceedings before the Supreme Court, contending that the prosecution was unwarranted and that the dispute had been politicised despite having arisen from judicial proceedings.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for Chouhan, informed the Bench that the dispute had been amicably resolved. He submitted that the settlement was arrived at in Parliament and that Tankha had agreed to withdraw both the civil suit and the criminal complaint as part of the understanding.
Taking note of these submissions and the formal withdrawal of proceedings by Tankha, the Court held that no purpose would be served in keeping the criminal defamation case pending. The Bench accordingly disposed of Chouhan’s plea and closed the proceedings.
With the complainant having withdrawn all allegations, the Court’s order effectively ends the defamation litigation against Chouhan arising out of the 2021 Panchayat elections controversy.
The matter had earlier come before the Supreme Court in July 2025, when the Bench had encouraged the parties to explore a settlement. At that stage, the Court had indicated that political disputes arising from public statements should not be allowed to prolong criminal litigation where resolution was possible.
In March 2025, the Supreme Court had also exempted Chouhan from personal appearance before the trial court while considering his challenge to the criminal proceedings.
The closure of the case follows the withdrawal of all claims by Tankha and brings finality to the dispute, with no defamation proceedings now surviving against Chouhan in relation to the 2021 remarks.
Case Title: Shivraj Singh Chouhan v. Vivek Tankha
Bench: Justice M M Sundresh and Justice N K Singh
Date of Hearing: February 3, 2026