AAP Leader Sanjay Singh Faces Gujarat Court; Metro Court Appearance on January 11, Kejriwal Exempt

Gujarat University has initiated legal action against Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh in a defamation case related to the procurement of the Prime Minister’s degree. The case, currently under proceedings in the Metro Court, has witnessed a significant development as the court issued a production warrant against Sanjay Singh. Despite being incarcerated in Tihar Jail, Singh is set to be produced before the Metro Court on January 11 to address the allegations against him. Notably, Arvind Kejriwal, another prominent figure associated with the AAP, has been exempted from attending the proceedings. This latest legal maneuver adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing case, underscoring the heightened scrutiny surrounding the allegations and the legal processes involved.

Case Background: Gujarat University vs. Aam Aadmi Party Leaders

In a significant turn of events, the Gujarat High Court, on March 31, 2023, imposed a stay on the case pertaining to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree issue. The court specifically directed the complainant not to publicly disclose the degree in question. However, the situation escalated when, on April 1, 2023, Arvind Kejriwal, the convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Chief Minister of Delhi, took to the podium in a press conference and used inappropriate language in reference to the Prime Minister’s degree. Kejriwal further exacerbated the matter by disseminating these comments on his official Twitter handle.

Notably, the following day, on April 2, 2023, Sanjay Singh, a prominent member of the AAP, also conducted a press conference concerning the Prime Minister’s degree, amplifying the discourse. Singh, like Kejriwal, utilized social media, specifically Twitter, to share details related to the case. Furthermore, both Kejriwal and Singh implicated Gujarat University in their respective press conferences and social media posts.

Central Information Commission Imposes Fine on Arvind Kejriwal in Degree Disclosure Dispute

In the ongoing saga surrounding the disclosure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree, the Central Information Commission (CIC) issued an order directing Gujarat University to present the said degree to Arvind Kejriwal. This directive led Gujarat University to seek legal recourse in 2016, appealing the decision in the High Court. During the court proceedings, it was asserted that the Prime Minister’s degree was publicly accessible on the university’s website. Consequently, in a recent ruling, the court disposed of Kejriwal’s application while imposing a fine of 25 thousand rupees.

The court’s decision underscores that, according to the available evidence on the university’s website, there is no necessity for Kejriwal to insist on the public presentation of the Prime Minister’s degree. This legal development adds a financial dimension to the dispute, prompting further scrutiny of the dynamics surrounding the disclosure of academic credentials, especially when involving high-profile figures such as the Prime Minister. As the case continues to unfold, it is likely to fuel discussions on the nuances of transparency, legal obligations, and the consequences of imposing fines in matters of public interest.

Legal Developments: Arvind Kejriwal Faces Summons in Defamation Case

In a recent legal development, a summons was issued against Arvind Kejriwal in a defamation case filed by Dr. Piyush Patel, the General Secretary of Gujarat University, under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code. The complaint was lodged in the Metro Court, alleging defamation against Gujarat University. In response to this summons, Arvind Kejriwal contested the legal proceedings by challenging the Metro Court’s decision in the Sessions Court.

The Metro Court had also extended notice to the registrar of Gujarat University regarding the matter. However, the Sessions Court, upon review, rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging the summons. This decision signifies a crucial juncture in the legal proceedings, with the rejection of Kejriwal’s challenge reinforcing the validity of the defamation case against him.

Arvind Kejriwal’s Review Petition Denied; Appeals Against Fine and Degree Disclosure

The legal saga involving Arvind Kejriwal has taken another turn as the judge, Biren Vaishnav, rejected his review petition. Kejriwal had filed the review petition challenging both the imposed fine of 25 thousand rupees and the assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree is not available on Gujarat University’s website.

Despite the setback in the review petition, Arvind Kejriwal remains undeterred in his pursuit of legal remedy. He has now escalated the matter by appealing against the verdict of the original 2016 case. The appeal is set to be heard before a bench comprising Chief Justice Sunita Aggarwal and Justice Anirudh Mai.