‘All parties are treated equally in SC’, CJI says in Rahul Gandhi case
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that all parties are treated equally in the Supreme Court following allegations by a BJP spokesperson that Rahul Gandhi's defamation case was being intentionally delayed. The court advised the complainant to file a formal application to de-tag the case.
Why it matters
The exchange underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding high-profile legal cases involving opposition leaders in India.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) assured that “all parties are treated equally” in the Supreme Court after senior advocate and BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, appearing for a complainant in a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleged that the Opposition leader’s matter is being repeatedly adjourned.
The exchange happened during an oral mentioning by Mr. Bhatia to de-tag Mr. Gandhi’s plea against criminal proceedings arising from his alleged remarks concerning the Army and the Chinese attack in the context of the 2020 Galwan clash.
He said the last time the case was listed was in December last year. At the time, the top court had scheduled the next hearing on April 22, 2026. However, the case had not been listed until September 9.
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2 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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