Kerala Court issues notice to former DGP R Sreelekha IPS over defamatory remarks against Rahul Gandhi

A Kerala court has issued notice to former Kerala Director General of Police, R Sreelekha, on a private complaint concerning her remarks against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. [KP Sreekumar v R Sreelekha]

Judicial First Class Magistrate at Mavelikara Soorya S Sukumaran issued notice on November 10 on a complaint filed by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary KP Sreekumar alleging criminal defamation.

The Court listed the matter for further consideration on December 2.

Sreekumar filed the complaint on October 20, alleging criminal defamation under Section 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The provision covers publishing or making an allegation about a person with the intention, knowledge or reason to believe that it will harm their reputation, subject to statutory exceptions.

The complaint stemmed from Sreelekha's speech delivered at a Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) gathering in Punalur on October 14, where she allegedly linked Gandhi's conduct during the protests in Delhi to excessive drug consumption.

"That by making the aforesaid statement, the Accused falsely and maliciously alleged that Shri Rahul Gandhi's behavior during a democratic protest in Delhi resembled that of a person acting under the severe influence of drugs and narcotics," the complaint stated.

She delivered the speech at a meeting organised by BJP's Kollam East District committee in support of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.

Sreekumar had watched a Mathrabhumi News broadcast of Sreelekha's speech and alleged that her remarks were subsequently circulated across TV channels, digital platforms and newspapers damaging his reputation as well as the Congress party prompting him to file the complaint.

He alleged that the remarks made by Sreelekha were false, malicious and deliberately intended to damage Gandhi's reputation.

He also alleged that the remarks were aimed at collectively harming the reputation of the Indian National Congress (INC) and its dedicated worker and office-bearer, including Sreekumar, who is a senior party functionary.

Further, Sreekumar added that a legal notice dated October 15 was sent to Sreelekha seeking an unconditional public apology, retraction of the remarks and compensation for mental agony.

Advocate Saran Sivan appeared for Sreekumar.