My statements against Union minister Shekhawat truthful & can't be termed as defamation: Gehlot to Delhi court

New Delhi, Oct 16 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday defended before a Delhi court his allegations against Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat related to the Sanjivani scam, where he argued that his statements were truthful and not defamatory.

The case pertains to alleged 'misleading statements' made by Gehlot in connection with the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam in Rajasthan.

Gehlot said that his statements were truthful and cannot be categorised as defamation.

Gehlot's counsel informed Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal of Rouse Avenue Court that Shekhawat had been served notice by the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police, which was investigating the alleged Rs 900-crore scam.

Shekhawat had responded to the notice, but Gehlot claimed that Shekhawat had concealed this fact.

The counsel argued that Gehlot never accused Shekhawat of being "convicted" in the case, stating that "he (Gehlot) said that the complainant (Shekhawat) is also an accused in the case".

The counsel contended that the case did not constitute defamation and that Gehlot had made truthful statements.

The court has now listed the matter for next hearing on October 20.

On September 19, the court had refused to discharge Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in the criminal defamation complaint by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, saying that his request held no merit.

Earlier, the court had directed the police to investigate Shekhawat's complaint.

The judge Jaspal had said that the investigation should be such that the three main questions -- whether complainant Shekhawat was addressed as “an accused” in the Sanjivani scam by the accused Gehlot, whether Gehlot stated that the allegations against Shekhawat stand proved in the Sanjivani scam, and whether Shekhawat or his family members have been arrayed as “accused" in the investigation of the scam -- are answered.

Shekhawat had filed the defamation case against Gehlot in March this year, stating that an investigation was initiated into the Sanjivani case but his name was not mentioned anywhere, and demanded the prosecution of Gehlot for criminal defamation under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

He also demanded appropriate financial compensation for the loss of his reputation.

Gehlot had said after a budget review meeting at the state secretariat on February 21 that the entire Shekhawat family, including his parents and wife, were involved in the Sanjeevani scam.

Gehlot had also welcomed the filing of the defamation case, saying: “At least the case will move forward on this pretext.”