Published Nov 11, 2026 | 7:45 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 11, 2026 | 7:45 PM
R Sreelekha
Synopsis: A local court in Keralam has summoned former DGP and BJP Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor R Sreelekha to appear in person on 2 December in a criminal defamation case filed by KPCC general secretary K.P. Sreekumar over her alleged derogatory remarks against Rahul Gandhi. The remarks were made at a BJP meeting in Punalur on 14 October, where Sreelekha compared Gandhi’s behaviour during a protest in Delhi to that of a person under the influence of drugs.
The Mavelikkara court in Alappuzha, Keralam, has issued a notice summoning former Director General of Police and BJP Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor R Sreelekha to appear in person on 2 December in a criminal defamation case filed against her for alleged derogatory remarks against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
The case was filed by KPCC general secretary KP Sreekumar. The remarks were allegedly made at a public meeting organised by the BJP Kollam East District Committee in Punalur on 14 October in support of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
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The defamation case is separate from a criminal case registered by the Punalur police in Kollam against Sreelekha over the same remarks. The police registered the case under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with provocation with intent to cause a riot, following a complaint by Youth Congress state vice-president Vishnu Sunil Pandalam.
During a BJP protest in Punalur, Sreelekha compared Rahul Gandhi’s behaviour during a protest in Delhi to the restlessness of a person under the influence of drugs. She also criticised Congress leaders for littering the protest site.
“Her remarks against Rahul Gandhi is inappropriate for a politician, especially someone who has served as a DGP. She seems to have forgotten the responsibility that comes with her position and instead resorted to BJP’s hate politics without any sense of accountability,” Vishnu told South First.
The offence under Section 192 of the BNS is bailable and carries a maximum prison term of one year, a fine, or both.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
