Delhi Court Demands Video Links of Mallikarjun Kharge Speech in Hate Speech Case
The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Saturday directed a complainant to submit video links of an alleged objectionable speech delivered by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge during a 2023 election rally. Special Judge Jitendra Singh requested the footage to examine it before deciding on a revision petition challenging the dismissal of a hate speech complaint against Kharge.
The complainant, advocate Ravinder Gupta, who is associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was directed to file links to news clips of the speech delivered at an election rally in Naregal, Karnataka, in April 2023. Advocate Gagan Gandhi, representing the revisionist, presented rebuttal arguments during the hearing. The court has scheduled the matter for clarification on August 6.
The revision petition seeks to set aside a November 11, 2025 order of the Tis Hazari Court, which had dismissed the complaint filed by Gupta. The complainant alleged that Kharge's speech contained derogatory remarks against the BJP, RSS, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he was defamed as an RSS member.
However, the Tis Hazari Court had dismissed the complaint after Judicial Magistrate First Class Preeti Rajoria observed that Kharge's remarks targeted political and ideological principles rather than any religion, caste, or community. The magistrate also found no evidence that the speech incited violence or disturbed public order, adding that a defamation complaint was barred as it was not filed by the Prime Minister himself.
Kharge filed his response to the revision court on April 2, denying the allegations and questioning the court's jurisdiction. Kharge argued that while Special Courts are empowered to try cases involving MPs and MLAs, they do not possess revisional jurisdiction over orders passed by a Judicial Magistrate First Class. He also denied promoting enmity between communities, stating that no prima facie offence was made out under the Indian Penal Code.
