The Gujarat High Court has firmly dismissed petitions filed by Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh. These petitions sought separate trials in a criminal defamation case from 2023. The case centers on remarks made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational degree.
Court Labels Singh's Petition as an "Afterthought"
In a detailed judgment delivered by Justice M R Mengdey, the court provided strong reasoning for its decision. The court ruled that Sanjay Singh's petition was merely an "afterthought." It further stated the petition showed an "intent to sabotage the proceedings" before the trial court.
The High Court noted that Singh's legal team did not raise any concerns about procedural issues for nearly two years. The court found the timing of the challenge suspicious and aimed at causing delays.
Press Conferences Were "Part of Political Strategy"
The court examined the events leading to the defamation case. It observed that Kejriwal and Singh held press conferences in April 2023. These conferences publicly raised doubts about PM Modi's degree and the intentions of Gujarat University.
The High Court stated these actions appeared to be a calculated "part of political strategy." The leaders decided to address the media after a Gujarat HC order. They then uploaded videos of their respective press conferences.
"It appears that the incident alleged against the petitioner as well as other co-accused were forming part of the same transaction," the judgment noted. This finding was central to rejecting the plea for separate trials.
Evidence is Largely the Same, Says Court
Kejriwal and Singh had argued that a joint trial could prejudice their cases. They feared evidence against one might be used against the other. The High Court rejected this contention outright.
The court clarified that the evidence presented during the trial would likely be identical for both accused. "Therefore, it is not likely that a separate set of evidence would be submitted," the judgment explained. The court found no concrete proof of potential prejudice, only "bare assertion" and "mere apprehension."
The lower courts had already correctly held that the alleged acts arose from the same transaction. The High Court saw no reason to overturn this and order separate proceedings.
Background of the Legal Battle
The legal dispute has a longer history. Gujarat University filed a complaint in April 2023 at the Metropolitan Court in Ahmedabad. The university alleged that statements by Kejriwal and Singh about PM Modi's degree and the university itself were defamatory.
These statements came after a Gujarat High Court order. That order had quashed a 2016 directive from the Central Information Commission. The CIC had asked the university to provide details of PM Modi's degree under the RTI Act.
The Magistrate Court subsequently issued summons to both AAP leaders. In February 2024, the Gujarat High Court dismissed their pleas challenging a sessions court order. That order had upheld the magistrate's summons.
In December 2025, Kejriwal and Singh filed separate Special Criminal Applications. This followed the dismissal of their revision applications by the Additional Principal Judge of the City Sessions court in Ahmedabad. They sought to quash a magistrate court order from September 2023, which denied them separate trials.
Kejriwal specifically wanted a trial separate from Sanjay Singh. Singh, in his petition, argued that no criminal conspiracy or common criminal intention could be established in the case against them.
The High Court's recent judgment brings clarity. It affirms that the trial for the 2023 criminal defamation case will proceed jointly for both leaders.
