Alappuzha, 11 Nov (H.S.):

A court in Mavelikkara has issued notice to BJP leader and former Director General of Police R. Sreelekha, directing her to appear in person in a criminal defamation case concerning her remarks against Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

The court acted on a complaint filed by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary K.P. Sreekumar. The case relates to a speech Sreelekha delivered at a protest meeting organised by the BJP in Punalur on October 14.

During the meeting, Sreelekha allegedly suggested that Gandhi’s conduct in Delhi reflected agitation and frenzied behaviour caused by excessive consumption of drugs. The remark prompted complaints from Congress leaders and led to separate legal proceedings against her.

Sreekumar subsequently approached the Mavelikkara court with a criminal defamation complaint over the statement. The court has now directed Sreelekha to personally appear in connection with that complaint. The date on which she must appear was not specified in the information available.

The court proceedings follow an earlier police case registered against Sreelekha on a complaint submitted by the Youth Congress. Punalur police had booked her under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in connection with the same speech.

According to the details provided, the police case concerns allegations of provocation with intent to cause a riot. The offence invoked is bailable and carries a punishment of up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine, or both.

The criminal defamation complaint before the Mavelikkara court and the case registered by Punalur police represent separate proceedings arising from the October 14 remarks.

The latest court action requires Sreelekha to appear in the defamation proceedings; it does not constitute a finding of guilt. Details of her response to the notice, or her defence against the allegations raised in the complaint, were not available in the information provided.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman