Supreme Court Halts Bailable Warrant in Defamation Case Involving Agriculture Minister

The Supreme Court stayed the execution of a bailable warrant against Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and two other BJP leaders in a defamation case filed by Congress MP Vivek Tankha. The court's decision comes as Chouhan challenges an order refusing to quash the case.

The Supreme Court on Monday put a hold on the execution of a bailable warrant against Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and two prominent BJP leaders in a defamation suit initiated by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha.

A judicial bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti requested a response from Tankha concerning Chouhan's petition opposing the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision on October 25 to allow the defamation case to proceed.

The court noted that while the pursuit of warrants was paused, it's contingent on the defendants' active involvement in the legal process. Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing Chouhan, argued the comments in question fall under constitutional protection.

(With inputs from agencies.)