Rahul Gandhi vs Kartikey Singh Chauhan

NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2026:MPHC-JBP:44938
1 MCRC-13941-2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
AT JABALPUR

BEFORE
HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE PRAMOD KUMAR AGRAWAL
th
ON THE 25 OF JUNE, 2026
MISC. CRIMINAL CASE No. 13941 of 2026
RAHUL GANDHI
Versus
KARTIKEY SINGH CHAUHAN
Appearance:
Shri Vivek Krishna Tankha with Shri Ajay Gupta - Senior Advocates
with Shri Aishwarya Sahu with Shri Rajeev Mishra - Advocates for the
petitioner.
Shri Sankalp Kochar - Advocate for the respondent.
ORDER
Applicant has preferred the present petition filed u/s 528 of BNSS
challenging the order dated 13.12.2024 passed by the learned Trial Court
taking cognizance of the offence punishable under Section 500 of the Indian
Penal Code, 1860, in Criminal Case No. S.C.P.P.M. 3/2025 and summoning
the applicant.
2. During pendency of the petition, applicant has moved I.A. No.
14821/2026, which is an application for bringing on record the applicant's
statement of which paragraphs 2 and 3 are reproduced as under:-

"2. That the applicant on October 29th, 2018, during the then
ongoing Assembly Election campaign, made the allegedly
defamatory statement in Jhabua, wherein a reference was made to
so-called Panama Papers. Upon discovering that Respondent’s
Signature Not Verified
Signed by: NAVEEN
NAGDEVE
Signing time: 25-06-2026
18:18:14

NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2026:MPHC-JBP:44938
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name erroneously appeared in the said statement, on the very next
day — i.e. on October 30th, 2018 — the applicant clarified in
public that who he had intended to refer to was the son of the
former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh as having been named in
the widely reported Panama Papers controversy and not the
Respondent or his father, the then Chief Minister of Madhya
Pradesh. The applicant, thus, express his regret. The applicant
stands by the said public clarification and look forward to
voluntary cessation of proceedings.
3. That, in view of the above, it would be in the interest of justice
if the case is closed and proceedings before the learned Trial Court
are dropped against the applicant."


3. On behalf of respondent, written reply has been filed in which it is
mentioned that in view of subsequent developments, the regret expressed by
the applicant and the statement brought on record the answering
respondent/complainant does not intent to escalate the issue further, the
proceedings before this Court as well as trial Court be closed after making
the verbatim statement brought on record vide I.A. No. 14821/2026 part of
the final order whereby regret has been expressed for making the alleged
defamatory statement.
4. Learned Senior Counsel for the applicant submits that applicant has
expressed his regret which has been accepted on behalf of the respondent in
written reply and respondent is also agreed if the proceedings be closed
before this Court as well as trial Court.
5. Learned counsel for the respondent submits that in this case vide
I.A. No. 14821/2026 applicant has clarified and expressed regret which is
mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3 therefore, in the light of such statement and
expressing his regret, the further proceedings before this Court as well as trial
Court be closed/disposed off.
Signature Not Verified
Signed by: NAVEEN
NAGDEVE
Signing time: 25-06-2026
18:18:14

NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2026:MPHC-JBP:44938
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6. I have heard learned Senior Counsel for the applicant and counsel

on behalf of respondent/complainant.
7. Applicant has filed this petition under Section 528 of BNSS
challenging the order dated 13.12.2024 passed by trial Court whereby
cognizance for the offence u/s 500 of IPC has been taken and summoning the
applicant has been passed by the trial Court. Applicant has expressed his
regret for alleged defamatory statement mentioned in paragraphs 2 of I.A.
No. 14821/2026 and the respondent has filed reply to the said I.A. in which it
is mentioned that in view of the regret expressed by the applicant, the
proceedings before this Court and trial Court be closed.
8. Considering the statement of applicant mentioned in I.A. No.
14821/2026 and the reply filed to the aforesaid IA as well as arguments
advanced by learned counsel for both the sides wherein regret has been
expressed by applicant, the proceedings before this Court are closed and
proceedings pending before the JMFC, Special Judge (MP & MLA)
complaint case no. SCPPM No. 03/2018 Bhopal shall also stand closed.
9. With the aforesaid, present petition stands disposed off.
10. A copy of this order be sent to the concerning trial Court for
information and necessary compliance.
Certified copy today.
(PRAMOD KUMAR AGRAWAL)
JUDGE
navin

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Signed by: NAVEEN
NAGDEVE
Signing time: 25-06-2026
18:18:14

NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2026:MPHC-JBP:44938
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Signature Not Verified
Signed by: NAVEEN
NAGDEVE
Signing time: 25-06-2026
18:18:14