'Let Him File It:' Rajasthan CM Gehlot Reacts To Union Min Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's Defamation Suit

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat filed a defamation suit against Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. In response, Gehlot stated that he wants PM Modi and Amit Shah to be aware of the situation.

Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat filed a criminal defamation case against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday. The Union minister claimed that the Rajasthan chief minister made defamatory statements about him as a result of the former's alleged involvement in the Sanjivani Credit Society scam.

"CM Ashok Gehlot has been making defamatory remarks, trying to tarnish my image and affect my political career. For last three years, he has been in defaming me in media, Rajya Sabha & even in public rallies": Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. 

Shekhawat has requested that Gehlot be prosecuted under the IPC sections for criminal defamation. The Union minister has also asked for monetary compensation for the damage to his reputation.

On February 28, Rajasthan's chief minister accused Shekhawat of being implicated in the alleged Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Association scam.

Today, a hearing in the case was held at the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi. Shekhawat was represented by senior advocate Vikas Pahwa. The union minister stated that the Rajasthan government had done an investigation into the case and that his name had not been mentioned anywhere.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot's Reaction: 

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Saturday that he will welcome Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's choice to file a defamation case against him in connection with the Sanjivani cooperative society scandal, adding it will bring the matter to national attention.

Gehlot stated that the Rajasthan government is willing to assist in the investigation of the case. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said, should be aware of the scam.

The senior Congress leader further said that his government had written to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to inquire about the incident but to no avail. He stated that the ED has the power to confiscate property and that the Special Operations Group of the state police cannot seize the accused's property.