The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition filed by former Union Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi seeking to quash criminal defamation proceedings initiated against her by S.K. Mittal. However, considering her age and residence in Delhi, the Court stayed the operation of the challenged order for two weeks to enable her to approach the jurisdictional Sessions Court.
Background
The private complaint was filed by S.K. Mittal alleging offences under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with criminal defamation.
The trial court had initially dismissed the complaint on November 16, 2019. However, Mittal challenged that decision before the Sessions Court. On June 30, 2025, the Sessions Court set aside the dismissal and directed the trial court to reconsider the matter afresh.
Following reconsideration, the trial court took cognizance of the complaint and issued summons to Maneka Gandhi.
Gandhi's counsel, Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, argued that the trial court had not properly examined the material on record and had been influenced by observations made by the Sessions Court in its earlier revision order.
The counsel also submitted that approaching the same Sessions Court again would be ineffective, as it had previously directed reconsideration of the complaint.
Justice Anant Ramanath Hegde observed that Gandhi's apprehension regarding an impartial consideration of her case could be addressed by directing the Sessions Court to independently examine the matter.
The Court clarified:
"Jurisdictional Sessions Court in the event of Revision Petition being filed by the petitioner/accused, shall take all aspects into consideration and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. It is made clear the Court has to independently assess the merit of the order based on the contents of the complaint and the statements recorded and the documents if any, placed before the Trial Court."
The High Court further directed that the Sessions Court must not be influenced by its earlier order dated June 30, 2025.
It observed:
"The jurisdictional Sessions Court shall not be influenced by the order dated 30.06.2025."
The High Court dismissed Maneka Gandhi's criminal petition, leaving her free to challenge the trial court's order before the Sessions Court. It also directed that the time spent pursuing the High Court proceedings would be excluded when calculating the limitation period for filing a revision petition.
Considering that Gandhi is a senior citizen residing in Delhi, the Court stayed the operation of the impugned order for two weeks from October 27, 2026.
It clarified that it had expressed no opinion on the merits of either party's contentions.
Case Details
Case Title: Maneka Sanjay Gandhi v. S.K. Mittal
Case Number: Criminal Petition No. 15792 of 2026
Judge: Justice Anant Ramanath Hegde
Decision Date: October 27, 2026
