Lawyer Nripendra Pandey subsequently filed a complaint alleging that the remarks were defamatory and could promote disharmony.
After examining the complaint, the lower court found a prima facie case and summoned Gandhi under Sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, which relate to promoting enmity between groups and statements conducing to public mischief, respectively.
During the Supreme Court proceedings, however, it emerged that the prosecution had not secured the Uttar Pradesh governmentโs sanction, a statutory requirement for pursuing the alleged offences.
Taking note of the absence of approval, the apex court quashed both the proceedings and the summons against Gandhi.
With IANS inputs
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