The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday dismissed two separate petitions filed by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in connection with a criminal defamation case filed by Gujarat University in 2023 following comments made by the latter about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic degree.
Justice M.R. Mengde, delivering his verdict, briefly stated, “The applications are dismissed.” The court had previously reserved its decision for December 22, 2025, after hearing arguments from both sides.
The petitioners made this demand?
Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh challenged the Sessions Court’s decision dismissing their revision petitions. Arvind Kejriwal argued that since the two leaders made statements on different dates and maintained separate social media accounts, the evidence should not be considered shared and their trials should be conducted separately. Sanjay Singh, in his petition, argued that no criminal conspiracy or common intent had been established in the case.
court’s stance
The Sessions Court had already clarified that the two leaders’ comments represented a “continuity of action.” Under Section 223(a) of the CrPC, if the crimes were committed during the same transaction or event, a “joint trial” of the accused can be held. The High Court also upheld this legal basis, finding the petitions baseless. The entire controversy began when Gujarat University complained to the Metropolitan Court that the leaders’ statements had tarnished the university’s reputation.