New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by the BJP’s Telangana unit challenging a high court order that quashed a defamation case against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy related to his speech during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Atul S Chandurkar emphasized that politicians must possess a “thick skin” to bear criticism.

“You should have a thick skin to bear all of this if you are a strong politician,” CJI Gavai said, adding that courts should not be converted into platforms for political battles. The top court also cautioned the petitioner of a potential Rs 10 lakh fine if further arguments were pursued.

The case stemmed from a rally in which Revanth Reddy allegedly stated that the BJP would alter the Constitution and end reservations if it secured more than 400 Lok Sabha seats. BJP’s Telangana unit, represented by general secretary Karam Venkateshwarlau, filed a complaint in May 2024, claiming the speech defamed the party.

A trial court had initially held that a prima facie case of defamation under the Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951—relating to promoting enmity between classes during elections—was made against Reddy.

However, Reddy challenged this order in the Telangana High Court, arguing that political speeches should not automatically constitute defamation.

On August 1, the Telangana High Court allowed Reddy’s plea, quashing the trial court order. The high court agreed that the threshold for alleging defamation in the case of political speeches is much higher and such matters should not be lightly construed under Section 199 of the CrPC.