The Supreme Court of India on Monday heard a plea filed by Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi seeking to quash a criminal defamation case linked to his controversial remarks on the Indian Army during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. While the court temporarily stayed further proceedings in the case, it did not hold back from making sharp oral observations questioning Gandhi’s comments on the sensitive Galwan Valley issue.
What Triggered the Controversy?
The case stems from remarks Rahul Gandhi made on December 16, 2022, during a Bharat Jodo Yatra rally. Referencing the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, Gandhi allegedly stated that “2,000 square kilometers of Indian territory was occupied by China.” The comments sparked political outrage and led to the filing of a criminal defamation complaint by retired defence PRO Uday Shankar Srivastava in Lucknow.
Srivastava accused Gandhi of tarnishing the image of the Indian Army and defaming a respected constitutional institution. Based on this complaint, a local MP-MLA court issued a summons, asking Gandhi to appear in person—a directive he complied with on July 15, 2025, when he appeared before the court and secured bail.
Supreme Court Pulls Up Rahul Gandhi
On August 4, a Supreme Court bench led by Justices Dipankar Datta and A.G. Masih stayed proceedings in the defamation case, offering temporary relief to Gandhi. However, the bench expressed strong reservations about the nature of his remarks.
Justice Datta asked pointedly, “Were you there? Do you have any credible material? Why do you make these statements without any [evidence]… If you were a true Indian, you would not say all this.” He further questioned the tendency of political leaders to make sweeping claims without verifying facts, especially on matters involving national security.
The bench observed that casualties during border skirmishes are unfortunately not uncommon and criticized the politicization of sensitive military events.
What Happened in the Allahabad High Court?
Before moving to the Supreme Court, Gandhi had approached the Allahabad High Court, challenging the summons on the grounds that his fundamental right to free speech was being suppressed. However, on May 29, 2025, the High Court dismissed his plea, ruling that freedom of expression does not give anyone the license to malign the integrity of national institutions like the Army.
Following the High Court’s decision, Gandhi filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court. The apex court has now paused the proceedings, but has not yet ruled on whether the case will be dismissed entirely.
Congress Defends Gandhi
The Congress Party has stood firmly behind Rahul Gandhi. In statements issued after the hearing, party leaders claimed that Gandhi’s comments were being deliberately misinterpreted for political gain. “His intention was never to insult the Army,” said a senior Congress spokesperson. “He was raising concerns about national security and the government’s silence on Chinese intrusions.”
They further alleged that the case is being used as a political tool to target Gandhi, especially as he continues to emerge as a key figure in opposition politics.
What Lies Ahead?
With the Supreme Court choosing to stay proceedings but not dismiss the case, the matter remains unresolved. The Court’s strong remarks indicate that while freedom of speech is protected, it comes with the responsibility of factual accuracy—especially for national leaders speaking on sensitive issues like defence and sovereignty.
A final verdict from the Supreme Court on whether the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi will proceed is still pending. Until then, the political and legal drama surrounding the remarks continues to fuel debate on the limits of political speech in India.
