In a recent development concerning the ongoing debate over Prime Minister Modi’s educational qualifications, a Gujarat court has reserved its order on a plea by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leader Sanjay Singh. The duo had been summoned over allegations of defamation.
Earlier this year, on April 17, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Jayeshbhai Chovatiya had remarked that the comments made by both Kejriwal and Singh appeared to be “prima facie defamatory.” This observation was made after the magistrate reviewed both oral and digital evidence, including tweets from Kejriwal and speeches that followed a pivotal judgment by the Gujarat High Court.
The High Court, in its judgment, had ruled in favor of an appeal by the University, stating that there was no obligation to disclose Prime Minister Modi’s degree. This decision also saw Kejriwal being slapped with a fine of ₹25,000.
Highlighting the significance of the statements made by the accused politicians, the magistrate emphasized that both Kejriwal and Singh, being well-educated political figures, should have been fully aware of the potential impact of their remarks on the general public. The magistrate further noted,
“If political office bearers, instead of fulfilling their duty to their people, act out of personal animosity or self-interest, it is seen as a breach of the public’s trust.”
In response to these developments, Kejriwal and Singh, represented by advocate Aum Kotwal, have taken their case to the sessions court, challenging the earlier observations and decisions.
