Mavelikara: A court in Kerala has issued notice to former Director General of Police (DGP) R. Sreelekha in a criminal defamation case concerning her alleged remarks against Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I at Mavelikara, presided over by Soorya S. Sukumaran, issued the notice on November 10, 2026, following a private complaint filed by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) General Secretary K.P. Sreekumar.
The matter has been listed for December 2, when Sreelekha has been directed to appear before the court.
The complaint concerns a speech she delivered at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gathering in Punalur, Kollam district, on October 14, during which she allegedly compared Gandhi’s behaviour during protests in Delhi to that of a person under the influence of excessive drugs.
What Is the Defamation Complaint Against R. Sreelekha?
K.P. Sreekumar filed the private complaint on October 20, invoking Section 356(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with criminal defamation.
According to the complaint, Sreelekha made remarks suggesting that Gandhi’s conduct during a democratic protest in Delhi resembled the behaviour of someone under the severe influence of drugs and narcotics.
The complainant alleged that the statements were false and malicious and were intended to damage Gandhi’s reputation. He also claimed that the remarks affected the reputation of the Indian National Congress and its office-bearers, including himself.
Sreekumar reportedly watched a broadcast of the speech on Mathrubhumi News and alleged that the comments were subsequently circulated through television channels, digital news platforms and newspapers.
The complaint also stated that:
- A legal notice was sent to Sreelekha on October 15, seeking an unconditional public apology.
- The notice demanded a retraction of the alleged remarks.
- Compensation was also sought for the mental agony allegedly caused by the statements.
- The private criminal defamation complaint was subsequently filed on October 20.
What Did the Court Order?
The notice was issued by the Mavelikara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I on November 10.
According to reports, the court had examined the complainant and two witnesses before issuing the notice under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The next hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2026.
Separate Police Case Over the Same Speech
The defamation complaint is separate from another criminal case registered against Sreelekha at Punalur police station over the same October 14 speech.
That case followed a complaint by Youth Congress state vice-president Vishnu Sunil Pandalam, who objected to her remarks against Gandhi and other political leaders.
Police registered the case under Section 192 of the BNS, which concerns wantonly giving provocation with the intention of causing a riot.
The two proceedings arise from the same speech but involve separate complaints and legal provisions.
Who Is R. Sreelekha?
R. Sreelekha (IPS: 1987: KL) is a former Kerala DGP and the state’s first woman IPS officer. After retiring from the police service, she entered politics and joined the BJP.
She is also a councillor in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, representing the Sasthamangalam ward.
The latest court proceedings concern allegations arising from her political speech in Punalur. The defamation complaint remains pending, and the allegations against her are yet to be adjudicated.
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