#scverdict

The Supreme Court of India has upheld Telangana’s domicile rules for admissions to medical and dental colleges under the State quota. The ruling confirms that only students who have studied for the last four years up to Class 12 in Telangana are eligible for state quota seats in MBBS and BDS courses.

A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran allowed the appeal filed by the Telangana government, affirming the Telangana Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Rules, 2017, as amended in 2024. These rules had been challenged in court after previous orders raised questions about eligibility for students who lived outside the state for some period but met other criteria.

The Telangana High Court had earlier observed that permanent residents of the State could not be denied admission benefits solely because they had spent time outside Telangana. However, the Supreme Court clarified and reinforced that the four-year study requirement is valid for state quota admissions.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi and lawyer Sravan Kumar Karnam represented the Telangana government in the proceedings. The court’s verdict provides clarity for students seeking admission to medical and dental programs in the State, ensuring that domicile rules will continue to apply under the state quota system.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday stayed the criminal defamation proceedings against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks against the Indian Army related to the 2020 Galwan clash with China, while also issuing a sharp rebuke to the Congress leader for his public statements.

The two-judge bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice A G Masih was hearing Gandhi’s appeal challenging the Allahabad High Court’s refusal to halt trial court proceedings in Lucknow, initiated on a complaint by Uday Shankar Srivastava, a former Border Roads Organisation (BRO) director.

SC Questions Rahul Gandhi’s Credibility on Army Claims

During the hearing, the bench grilled Senior Advocate A M Singhvi, representing Gandhi, over the veracity of his statements made on December 16, 2022, during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, in which he allegedly claimed that:

“Chinese soldiers are beating up Indian Army personnel.”

The court asked:

“How do you know that 2,000 sq km of Indian territory is occupied by the Chinese? Were you there? Do you have any credible material? Why make such statements without any basis?”

Justice Datta further remarked:

“If you are a true Indian, you would not say all these things. You are the Leader of Opposition; say these things in Parliament, not on social media.”

Background of the Case

Complainant: Uday Shankar Srivastava alleged that Gandhi’s remarks defamed the Indian Army and undermined morale.

Timeline:

December 2022: Gandhi made the remarks during Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Early 2023: A Lucknow trial court admitted the complaint.

2024: Allahabad HC refused to stay proceedings, prompting Gandhi to move the SC.

Key Allegation: Gandhi’s public statement implied Indian troops were being beaten, which the complainant termed false and defamatory.

SC Stays Trial Court Proceedings

After the sharp observations, the Supreme Court granted interim relief, staying the defamation proceedings. The court will later examine:

Whether Gandhi’s remarks constitute criminal defamation under Section 499 of IPC.

Whether political speech enjoys greater leeway under free speech principles.

The matter is expected to have political ramifications, as it comes at a time when Gandhi is actively challenging the government on national security and border management with China.

Key Takeaways

SC halts defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over Army-related remarks.

Bench raps Gandhi for making unverified public statements on sensitive issues.