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Synopsis

During a recent court proceeding, Jai Anant Dehadrai assured the Delhi High Court that he would refrain from making public statements against BJP MP Pinaki Misra. Dehadrai made numerous statements accusing Misra of conspiring against Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other bribery charges. Therefore, Misra initiated a defamation case against Dehadrai. 

The bench, led by Justice Jasmeet Singh, remarked that such allegations of conspiracy against the PM would constitute treason, and therefore, should not be made without cogent and substantial evidence.

The court noted that Advocate Raghav Awasthi, representing Dehadrai, was unable to provide substantial evidence when asked to substantiate the allegations of a conspiracy by an MP against the PM. The court cautioned against making such serious allegations without proper justification, stressing the gravity of implicating the highest office of the country.

Advocate Samudra Sarangi, appearing for Misra, argued that Dehadrai's allegations portrayed Misra as the mastermind behind a conspiracy aimed at the Prime Minister, despite Misra's party's alignment with the BJP and the Prime Minister. Sarangi further emphasized Misra's respect for the Prime Minister, highlighting his stature as a respected citizen and sitting MP. He also noted that the CBI’s case was registered against Mahua Moitra and Darshan Hiranandani, with no mention of Misra. 

The court noted Misra's standing as a respected member of the Bar and stressed the importance of treating him with due regard. Expressing concern over the gravity of such accusations, the court emphasized the seriousness of implicating the highest office of the country in a conspiracy. Justice Singh reiterated that plotting against the Prime Minister constitutes an offense against the State and must be treated with utmost care, advising against escalating the dispute to such a level.

Misra's lawsuit alleged that following personal disagreements with TMC leader Mahua Moitra, Dehadrai made unfounded allegations against him and others associated with Moitra. The lawsuit asserted that Dehadrai made defamatory tweets against Misra using pseudonyms and was summoned by the CBI as part of a preliminary inquiry related to allegations against Moitra, but no charges were brought against him.

Misra in his plea had sought deletion of such content from platforms like X and news agencies PTI and ANI, which were also named as defendants in the case.