PM Modi degree row: Supreme Court refuses interim stay on defamation proceedings against Arvind Kejriwal

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any interim stay on the defamation proceedings initiated against against Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal by the Gujarat University over the statements made by then regarding the academic degree of Prime Minister Narendra Modi [Arvind Kejriwal vs State of Gujarat and anr]..A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti noted that the matter is pending before the Gujarat High Court and is slated to be heard on August 29. Hence, the apex court refrained from passing any order and expressed 'hope and trust' that the High Court would decide the matter on August 29."We are not inclined to issue notice at this stage as the matter is pending before the HC and listed on August 29. We trust and hope that the matter is decided on the said date," the top court said in its order..The Court was hearing an appeal by the Delhi CM against a recent Gujarat High Court order passed by Justice Samir Dave refusing to grant an interim stay on the proceedings initiated against Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh.Gujarat University has sued the two politicians for allegedly making derogatory statements against it for not disclosing the degree certificate of Prime Minister Modi. In an order passed on April 17 this year, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Jayeshbhai Chovatiya had said that the statements made by Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh were prima facie defamatory.The judge passed the order after taking note of the oral and digital evidence shared in a pen drive, which comprised Kejriwal's tweets and speeches made after a judgment of the Gujarat High Court in the matter.The ACMM asked Kejriwal and Singh to appear before the court on August 11. They challenged the said order before the sessions court, which, on August 5, refused to grant an interim stay on the proceedings.They then moved the High Court which too denied interim stay to them prompting the present plea before the Supreme Court..Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, argued that even the summoning order in the matter was erroneous."The trial court is going at a breakneck speed. The degrees have not been uploaded," he said.Justice Khanna then remarked that the same could be brought out during the evidence stage of trial when witnesses are examined.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Gujarat University, stated that the order under challenge was passed in a case where the main prayer was seeking exemption from personal appearances. He added that this fact has been suppressed in the instant appeal.The Court eventually refused to interfere.