On Monday (August 21), Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot attended a hearing at the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi in connection with a criminal defamation case filed against him by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Gehlot participated in the court proceedings through video conferencing from Udaipur. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 28.
Gehlot had previously appeared before the court on August 7 via video conferencing.
The defamation case stems from Shekhawat's claim that Gehlot defamed him by accusing him and his family of being involved in the Sanjivani scam.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had alleged that Gehlot's statements defamed him, prompting the Rouse Avenue Court to issue summons to Gehlot on July 6.
Although Gehlot sought a revision in the sessions court, his plea was not granted. Subsequently, he was permitted to appear via video conferencing in the Revision Court.
During an August 1 hearing, Gehlot's representatives argued that as the Home Minister, he oversees the State's Home Department, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) reports to him.
Gehlot asserted that he shared the information he received from the SOG about the case with the media. The SOG's complaint also mentioned the involvement of Shekhawat's family.
On the other side, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's legal team contended that Shekhawat's name wasn't mentioned in any of the initial complaints.
They stated that the SOG gathered alleged facts subsequent to the registration of the defamation case.
In response, Union Minister Shekhawat criticized Chief Minister Gehlot, suggesting that Gehlot would need to secure bail in the defamation case.
Shekhawat expressed that if Gehlot truly believed he was innocent of defamation, he need not worry and could even face possible arrest.
Shekhawat also denied any wrongdoing in the Sanjivani case and emphasized that his family had no involvement in it across three generations.
He challenged Gehlot's assertion that he was accused in the SOG investigation and questioned the timing of his name being implicated in the case.
This defamation case originates from Gehlot's statement made after a budget review meeting on February 21.
During the meeting, Gehlot claimed that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's entire family, including his parents and wife, were connected to the Sanjivani scam.
Prior to this incident, both leaders had been engaged in an ongoing exchange of verbal attacks. Gehlot had welcomed the defamation case, viewing it as an opportunity for the case to progress.
He also called on Prime Minister Modi to remove Gajendra Singh from his cabinet.
