Today, On 10th September, A Delhi court scheduled a hearing for the defamation complaint filed by Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. Chandrasekhar’s complaint stems from remarks made by Tharoor, which he claims were defamatory. The case will now proceed with the court evaluating the allegations.
New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court scheduled BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s defamation complaint against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor for consideration on September 21.
Chandrasekhar filed the complaint following an interview on April 10, where he accused Tharoor of spreading false and misleading information to the voters of Thiruvananthapuram.
Tharoor allegedly claimed that Chandrasekhar involved in bribing key voters and influential figures, including parish priests. Chandrasekhar expressed his shock over the allegations, which made during an interview with the Kerala-based news outlet ’24 News.’
The BJP leader since demanded a public apology from Tharoor, warning of legal consequences if the statements are not retracted.
The legal notice addressed to Shashi Tharoor reads,
“Immediately withdraw all allegations and aspersions made by you against our client, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, on the aforementioned news channel on 06.04.2024. Tender an unconditional public apology to our client through print and electronic media regarding the baseless allegations. Cease and desist from defaming, harassing, or damaging our client’s reputation, and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated rumors or engaging in such activities in the future.”
The notice further accuses Tharoor of making defamatory statements “with the intent to harm” Chandrasekhar, claiming that these allegations have disrespected the Christian community in Thiruvananthapuram by insinuating their involvement in vote-buying activities.
The notice demands a public apology within 24 hours, emphasizing that the statements made with “malicious intent to tarnish” Chandrasekhar’s reputation ahead of the elections.
The legal notice issued soon after Shashi Tharoor allegedly violated Rule I(2) of the Model Code of Conduct, which mandates that political candidates limit their criticisms to “policies and programmes, past records, and work,” and prohibits criticism based on “unverified allegations or distortions.”
Tharoor’s claims, aired on ’24 News,’ suggested that Rajeev Chandrasekhar offered money to key voters, including religious leaders such as parish priests, without providing verifiable evidence.
Tharoor also accused of breaching sub-section 3 of section 123 of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, by appealing to voters’ religious identities a practice deemed corrupt by the Supreme Court in the Abhiram Singh vs. CD Commachen case (Civil Appeal No. 37/1992).
The notice further stated,