New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted an extension on the stay concerning defamation proceedings against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, facilitating time for the involved parties to consider potential settlement options. Kejriwal’s appeal challenges a Delhi High Court decision affirming the summons issued to him in a criminal defamation case for retweeting an allegedly defamatory video shared by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in May 2018. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta extended the interim stay until further directives.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, noted the inability of the parties to engage in settlement discussions following the previous hearing on March 11. Counsel for complainant Vikas Sankrityayan confirmed the lack of communication post the last hearing. The bench directed Kejriwal’s side to initiate contact with the complainant, scheduling further hearings for the week commencing August 12. During the previous hearing on March 11, the court inquired whether Kejriwal intended to offer an apology to the complainant.
Kejriwal admitted his error in retweeting the video and expressed regret. Sankrityayan’s counsel suggested that Kejriwal could issue an apology on social media platforms like ‘X’ or Instagram. On February 26, the apex court had asked the complainant if he wished to settle the matter considering Kejriwal’s acknowledgment of his mistake. The court directed the trial court to abstain from proceeding with the defamation case until further notice.
The Delhi High Court, in its February 5 judgment, emphasized the accountability associated with reposting defamatory content and upheld the trial court’s summons to Kejriwal. It underscored the potential consequences of retweeting or reposting defamatory material, emphasizing the need for discretion and caution. Kejriwal maintained that his tweet was not intended to harm the complainant. Sankrityayan alleged that the circulated YouTube video contained false and defamatory allegations.
