SC dismisses BJP Telangana’s defamation case against CM Reddy

New Delhi, Sep 8: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Telangana High Court’s order that cancelled a defamation case filed by BJP’s Telangana unit against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.

The case pertains to comments Reddy made against the BJP during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, according to Bar & Bench.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai said courts should not be used for political fights. “If you are a politician, you must be strong enough to face criticism,” the judges remarked while dismissing the BJP’s appeal. The BJP’s Telangana General Secretary had filed the case, claiming Reddy, in collusion with the Congress party, tried to spread false claims that the BJP planned to end reservations.

In August 2024, a trial court issued a notice to Reddy saying there was a case to answer. But Reddy later approached the High Court, which quashed the case. Justice K. Lakshman of the High Court ruled that Reddy’s remarks were directed at the BJP’s national leadership, not its Telangana unit, and so the state unit was not directly defamed. The BJP then moved the Supreme Court, which on Monday agreed with the High Court and dismissed the appeal. Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar represented BJP Telangana, while senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for CM Reddy.