The Supreme Court of India division bench, comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice S.V.N. Bhatti, will hear Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's plea on October 14, 2024, challenging a Delhi High Court ruling that refused to quash defamation proceedings against him. 

The case arose from Shashi Tharoor's remark comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "a scorpion sitting on a Shivling," which BJP leader Rajiv Babbar claimed hurt his religious sentiments and defamed Modi and the BJP.

The Delhi High Court found that the remark was prima facie defamatory and refused to quash the case. Shashi Tharoor's defence argues that the statement was a metaphor, made in good faith, and referenced an article published years earlier. His legal team contends that Babbar, not being personally targeted, cannot be considered an "aggrieved party."

During an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court expressed surprise at the defamation charges, noting that the statement appeared metaphorical.

Full Causelist dated 14/10/2024 is attached here