‘Metaphors Can Be Understood Differently’: SC Stays Defamation Proceedings Against Shashi Tharoor Over ‘Scorpion’ Remark

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the defamation case against Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. BJP leader Rajiv Babbar had filed the case over Tharoor’s 2018 remark about a “scorpion sitting on a Shivling,” allegedly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Justice Hrishikesh Roy noted that the remark was a metaphor, suggesting invincibility. He questioned why someone took offense.

Court Questions Basis for Offense

The court pointed out that metaphors can be interpreted differently. It also observed that no one raised objections when *The Caravan* magazine published the comment. The bench, which includes Justice R. Mahadevan, paused the trial court proceedings for four weeks.

Tharoor’s Legal Move

Tharoor appealed to the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea to quash the case on August 29. Babbar had claimed Tharoor’s comment hurt religious sentiments of Shiva devotees. The case, filed under the repealed Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC, will now be heard on September 10.

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