In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has granted interim relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by staying the defamation proceedings against him in a Jharkhand court. The case, which dates back to 2018, revolves around allegedly derogatory remarks made by Gandhi about Union Minister Amit Shah, who was then serving as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Gandhi seeking to quash the defamation case. The court has issued notices to both the Jharkhand government and Naveen Jha, a BJP worker who had filed the complaint, directing them to submit their responses within four weeks.

In his arguments, Senior Advocate Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Rahul Gandhi, pointed out previous rulings where it was made clear that only the aggrieved party can file a criminal defamation complaint. Singhvi argued that the complaint, in this case, had been filed by a proxy third party and thus should not be entertained.

The defamation case against Gandhi had been under trial in the MP/MLA court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand. In February of the previous year, the lower court had issued a non-bailable warrant for his appearance after he failed to attend hearings. Despite Gandhi’s request for exemption from physical appearance, the court had refused to provide relief, prompting him to approach the Jharkhand High Court. However, the high court had declined to interfere in the matter, leaving Gandhi with no option but to challenge the case in the Supreme Court.

The top court’s intervention has now provided a temporary reprieve to Gandhi, with the matter scheduled to be taken up for further hearing in six weeks. This development marks an important chapter in the ongoing legal battle involving the Congress leader and the BJP.

As the case progresses, the outcome could have significant implications not only for Rahul Gandhi but also for the broader political landscape in the country, as defamation lawsuits continue to be a contentious issue in Indian politics.

As the Sealdah court gears up to pronounce the sentence for Sanjay Roy, convicted of the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, security measures have been bolstered to ensure no untoward incidents occur. With nearly 500 policemen deployed and multiple police vehicles escorting the convict, authorities are taking no chances.

At 10:15 AM, Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was escorted out of jail and brought to the court under heavy police protection. Despite the intense security, a sizable crowd gathered outside the courthouse, eager to witness the proceedings. Some even tried to scale the railings to catch a glimpse of the convicted murderer.

The victim’s parents, who arrived at the court in the morning, expressed faith in the judicial process. “We have faith in the judge,” said the father of the deceased doctor, his voice thick with emotion.

However, the victim’s mother had a different sentiment. While the father placed trust in the judicial system, the mother voiced her frustration with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She alleged that the investigation had failed to bring all the culprits to justice. “Only one person has been caught, but the CBI has not managed to apprehend others involved in this heinous crime,” she said. “Such criminals should not be allowed to live if we are serious about stopping future crimes in society.”

The tragic murder of the young doctor, which occurred on August 9 of the previous year, sparked nationwide outrage and triggered widespread protests across the state. Roy was arrested a day after the incident, and the case was subsequently transferred to the CBI for further investigation.

Roy was found guilty of sexually assaulting the doctor and then strangling her to death. He was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which include provisions for rape, causing death, and murder. According to these provisions, Roy faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment for the rape, a minimum of 20 years for causing death, and a potential death sentence or life imprisonment for the murder conviction.

The sentencing will take place at 12:30 PM today, with Judge Anirban Das of the Additional District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, hearing Roy’s statement before announcing the quantum of punishment.

Karnataka’s triumphant victory in the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Vidarbha is a testament to their collective skill and strategic prowess. The match, held on Saturday at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat, concluded with a decisive 36-run win for Karnataka, a victory celebrated by Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar. He lauded the team’s coordinated performance, commending both the batting and bowling units, and specifically acknowledging captain Mayank Agarwal and the coaching staff for their instrumental roles in securing the title.

Vidarbha’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved to be a strategic misstep. While Karnataka’s openers, Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal, provided a relatively modest start with a 23-run partnership, the middle order ignited the innings.

Smaran Ravichandran’s masterful century (101 runs from 92 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes) anchored a commanding total of 348/6. He was ably supported by Krishnan Shrijith (78 runs) and Abhinav Manohar (79 runs), whose explosive batting showcased their power-hitting capabilities.

Vidarbha’s bowling attack struggled to contain the onslaught, with Darshan Nalkande and Nachiket Bhute each taking two wickets, while Yash Thakur and Yash Kadam managed one each.

Vidarbha’s chase began promisingly with Dhruv Shorey’s impressive century (110 runs), a valiant effort marked by 8 fours and 2 sixes. However, a lack of substantial support from the other batsmen hampered their progress.

Despite contributions from captain Karun Nair (27 runs) and Harsh Dubey’s explosive 63 runs (5 fours, 5 sixes), Vidarbha ultimately fell short, ending their innings at 312 runs. Karnataka’s disciplined bowling performance, spearheaded by Vasuki Koushik, Prasidh Krishna, and Abhilash Shetty, each taking three wickets, proved decisive in sealing the victory.

Smaran Ravichandran’s match-winning century earned him the “Player of the Match” award, while Vidarbha’s Karun Nair was recognized as the “Player of the Series,” highlighting the individual excellence displayed throughout the tournament. The victory underscores Karnataka’s dominance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a testament to the team’s dedication, talent, and strategic depth.