In Brief
Two appellants challenged a Magistrate's order summoning them for criminal defamation against Manish Sisodia, then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister. One appellant (Manoj Tiwari, A-1) argued the private complaint violated special procedures for public servants. The other (Vijender Gupta, A-5) further contended his tweets were not defamatory per se. The Supreme Court held that public servants may file private complaints under Section 199(6) without following the special procedure under Section 199(2)-(4)—both remedies are parallel, not exclusive. Additionally, Gupta's statement that answers to questions would 'disclose scams' was too vague and general to constitute actionable defamation. Tiwari's appeal was dismissed; Gupta's was allowed and the summoning order against him was set aside.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.