Bombay HC refuses to quash Gandhi defamation case

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, refused to quash a criminal defamation case and summons issued against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over remarks he made referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "choron ke sardar," or leader of thieves, and "commander-in-thief." The decision by a single bench of Justice N.R. Borkar dismissed Gandhi's petition challenging a lower court's order. The defamation complaint was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party worker Mahesh Shrishrimal, who contended that Gandhi's remarks, made during a public speech in Rajasthan in September 2018, were directed at Prime Minister Modi and, by extension, the BJP and its members, thereby damaging their reputation. Gandhi had made the remarks while discussing the Rafale fighter jet deal. Gandhi's legal team argued that the complaint was frivolous and that the complainant lacked the standing to file it, as the remarks did not explicitly name any political party or its members. They also contended that the complaint was politically motivated. However, Justice Borkar rejected the argument that the complainant was not an aggrieved party.