PM Modi degree row: Supreme Court upholds summons to Sanjay Singh in defamation case

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to interfere with a summons issued by a trial court to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh in connection with a defamation case filed against him by Gujarat University over Singh's comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's academic qualifications [Sanjay Singh vs Piyush M Patel and Anr]..A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Sandeep Mehta has dismissed a plea filed by Sanjay Singh to quash the summons issued to him in the matter by an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. .The Gujarat High Court had earlier refused to grant Singh any relief in the matter, and the Supreme Court has now agreed with the High Court's decision. ."We are not inclined. Sorry," the Court told Singh's counsel today, while refusing to entertain Singh's appeal. .The defamation case in the matter names Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal as well, in addition to Sanjay Singh. Kejriwal had questioned the apparent reluctance of the Gujarat University to disclose copies of degree certificates awarded to Prime Minister Modi. In this regard, Kejriwal is reported to have said, "Why are Delhi and Gujarat Universities not giving out the copies of the degrees? May be because the degree is bogus or fake. If the Prime Minister has studied from Delhi University or Gujarat University, then they ought to celebrate the fact that he is their student, who has now become the Prime Minister. But they are hiding the degrees."Meanwhile, Singh was reported to have commented that, "Prime Minister is putting his all to prove a fake degree as right.”.Appearing for Sanjay Singh today, senior advocate Rebecca John contended that there was nothing defamatory said by Singh about the University for it to file the defamation complaint against him. "It is apparent from pen-drive video that the statement is not defamatory to the University. It was not said that Gujarat University has forged the degree," John said. The Court, however, replied that this could be argued at trial. "All a matter of defence. Only prime facie case needed at stage of complaint. You will have your opportunity. Read the complaint," the bench said. .Senior advocate AM Singhvi also appeared for Singh today and argued that there is a jurisdictional issue involved. The Court, however, expressed that it was not inclined to hear two lawyers for Singh. "We will not allow two counsel ... And as far as criminal law of concerned she (John) is better placed," the Court said. .The bench eventually decided not to interfere with the trial court's summons to Singh. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta represented Gujarat University. .Prior to the filing of the defamation case, the Gujarat High Court in March 2023 ruled that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) need not furnish Modi's degree certificates under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act).Soon after, Gujarat University filed a complaint accusing Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh of defamation.A trial court then summoned both Kejriwal and Singh in this defamation case in April last year, prompting the duo to move the Gujarat High Court seeking relief. .On February 26, the Gujarat High Court refused to quash the summons issued to Kejriwal and Singh. The High Court added that right to free speech cannot mean that a citizen can defame the other, and that the university was “an identifiable group and determined class” for the purpose of filing a defamation complaint.This verdict was then challenged before the Supreme Court by Singh, which today dismissed his appeal.The top court, however, clarified that any observations by the High Court in the matter should not influence the defamation trial against the accused politicians..Supreme Court grants bail to AAP's Sanjay Singh in Delhi Excise Policy case .[Read order]