NEW DELHI, 4 AUG

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed an appeal filed by State Minister Shivananda S Patil, challenging a State High Court ruling that quashed a defamation case against BJP MLA Basanagouda R Patil Yatnal. Chief 

Justice BR Gavai, sitting with Justice K Vinod Chandran, remarked at the outset, “I always tell you all that fight political battles outside the court and not here.”

Patil's lawyer argued that the High Court's decision, dated 28 September 2024, was flawed due to procedural lapses under the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The advocate noted, “He has been a sitting cabinet rank minister.” To which the Chief Justice responded, “So what? … Dismissed with a cost of Rs 25,000.” The cost was later raised to Rs 1 crore before being waived upon the lawyer's request to withdraw the appeal.

The dispute stemmed from allegedly defamatory comments made by Yatnal during a rally preceding the 2023 State Assembly elections. The High Court found that the magistrate had failed to adhere to BNSS provisions, including examining the complainant and witnesses under oath, thereby quashing the case.