Delhi High Court: “It’s an Offense Against State, Cannot be Trigger Happy” Regarding PM Conspiracy
The Delhi High Court said that conspiring against the prime minister is tantamount to treason and that one cannot be carelessly accused in the absence of strong evidence.
On Wednesday, the court was hearing a complaint filed by BJD MP Pinaki Misra against attorney Jai Anant Dehadrai for his allegedly defamatory remarks and tweets, which included the claim that the legislator and TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who was expelled, plotted to assassinate the prime minister.
Dehadrai should wait for the resolution of his complaint to the authorities and refrain from becoming “trigger happy,” according to Justice Jasmeet Singh, even if a politician cannot be “sensitive.”
On December 8, Moitra was dismissed from the Lok Sabha due to allegations made by her ex-partner Dehadrai that she accepted payments from businessman and CEO of the Hiranandani Group Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for being allowed to ask questions in Parliament.
It is concerning when you refer to a plot against the prime minister. You cannot be content with a trigger. During the hearing, the court said that conspiring against the prime minister is treasonous and an offense against the state. “It has significant effects on the broader population. Prior to saying anything more, wait for the inquiry to be finished,” it continued.
Until the next hearing date, Dehadrai and his legal representative promised the court that they would not speak to Misra about their alleged “conspiracy” against the prime minister.
“The court recorded that Mr. (Raghav) Awasthi, who represents the defendant, has promised that no allegations of the plaintiff’s involvement in a conspiracy against the prime minister will be made until the next date of hearing.”
It also said that the high court is still considering the disagreement between Dehadrai and Moitra and that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is already investigating the claims.
“The accusation of plotting against the prime minister is a grave one, at least on the surface. The same as being treasonous. The court ruled that the accusation of plotting against the prime minister could not be made carelessly and had to be supported by strong and convincing evidence.
After taking the defendant’s testimony into consideration, the court notified Dehadrai and two media outlets about the complaint and scheduled a follow-up hearing for July.
