The court also imposed on the petitioner a fine of ₹10 lakh. CJI Gavai stated, "If you are in politics, you should have a thick skin. Dismissed."
Published Sep 08, 2025 | 12:13 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 08, 2025 | 12:13 PM
Supreme Court dismisses Telangana BJP's defamation case against CM Revanth Reddy
Synopsis: The Supreme Court dismissed a plea by the Telangana unit of the BJP against an order of the high court setting aside a defamation case against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. BJP Telangana General Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu alleged in the petition that Revanth Reddy had delivered a speech that defamed the saffron party.
The Supreme Court on Monday, 8 September, dismissed a plea by the Telangana unit of the BJP against an order of the state High Court setting aside a defamation case against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
BJP Telangana General Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu alleged in the petition that Revanth Reddy had delivered a speech that defamed the saffron party.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai reminded the petitioner that the apex court has “time and again” reiterated not to use it for political battles.
The court also imposed on the petitioner a fine of ₹10 lakh. CJI Gavai stated, “If you are in politics, you should have a thick skin. Dismissed.”
The high court bench of Justice K Lakshman had set aside the defamation case, reasoning that even if any defaming remarks were made against the BJP, it could not be considered a ‘person aggrieved’ under section 199(1) of the CrPC.
It further said that Venkateshwarlu had filed the complaint in his individual capacity, and he had not mentioned anywhere in the complaint whether he should be considered an aggrieved person due to his being a BJP member.
The high court also observed that the threshold to allege defamation and maintain a complaint involving political speeches under Section 199 CrPC would be higher.
“Political speeches are often exaggerated. To allege that such speeches are defamatory is another exaggeration,” the High Court observed.
In his speech, Revanth Reddy allegedly indicated that the BJP would change the Constitution and do away with reservations if it secured more than 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Venkateshwarlu filed a criminal complaint, following which the trial court ordered notice to Revanth Reddy and a criminal case under several sections of the Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951. The chief minister moved the high court against the notice
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
