'Commander-in-thief' remark: SC stays trial against Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed trial court proceedings in a criminal defamation case against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his 2018 remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale fighter jet deal.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notice on Gandhi's plea challenging a September 8 order of the Bombay High Court, which had refused to quash the criminal defamation proceedings against the LoP. The bench sought responses from the Maharashtra government and complainant Mahesh Shrishrimal within four weeks.

The case stems from remarks allegedly made by Gandhi during a public rally in Rajasthan on September 20, 2018, when he used the slogan 'Chowkidar chor hai' while criticising the PM over the Rafale deal. Gandhi subsequently posted on social media where he described Modi as "India's Commander-in-Thief". He also allegedly made remarks against Modi at a Congress workers' meeting in Amethi.