Delhi High Court issues notice to Congress MP Tharoor; Chandrasekhar claims allegations impacted his reputation and election outcome.
Former Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar has filed a ₹10 crore defamation suit against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in the Delhi High Court, accusing him of tarnishing his reputation with bribery allegations during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Delhi High Court Issues Notice to Tharoor
The case was heard on Monday, with Justice Purushanindra Kumar Kaurav issuing a notice to Tharoor and directing him to submit his response. The matter has been scheduled for its next hearing before the joint registrar on April 28.
Defamation Allegations Stemming from Lok Sabha Polls
The defamation suit stems from statements made by Tharoor during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he accused Chandrasekhar of bribing voters in Thiruvananthapuram. Tharoor won the closely contested seat by a margin of 16,077 votes, defeating Chandrasekhar.
Chandrasekhar: Allegations Damaged Reputation & Political Career
Responding to Tharoor’s claims, Chandrasekhar vowed legal action, writing on X (formerly Twitter) in April:
"Shashi Tharoor should disclose to whom I gave money. With his baseless allegations, he has also damaged the reputation of religious and community organizations in the capital."
He further added:
"Rest assured, I will ensure that this slander is countered using all legal means. It’s disgraceful to see a three-time MP stooping to third-rate politics in his desperation."
Legal Arguments: Suit Claims ‘Irreversible Damage’ to Reputation
The suit alleges that Tharoor’s statements were defamatory, stating:
"The publications disparage and denigrate the reputation of the Plaintiff (Chandrasekhar), lowering his esteem in the eyes of the general public."
"This is a clear case of a malafide approach by the Defendant (Tharoor), causing an irreversible impact on the Plaintiff’s political career."
"Tharoor’s false accusations directly contributed to the Plaintiff’s narrow defeat in Thiruvananthapuram."
Legal Representation & Court Proceedings
Chandrasekhar is represented by senior advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, with legal support from Karanjawala and Company.
The case now awaits Tharoor’s response as the legal battle over defamation unfolds in the Delhi High Court.