DHARAMSALA: Dharamshala MLA Sudhir Sharma, a former Congress leader now with the BJP, has filed a criminal defamation case against Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi, who is currently on leave. The complaint was submitted to the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Dharamshala on Thursday.
In his petition, Sharma accused Gandhi of making baseless and defamatory statements during a May 23 press conference in Shimla, where Gandhi alleged Sharma was behind the defection of six Congress MLAs to the BJP in March 2024 for personal political gain. Gandhi also reportedly accused Sharma of circulating a live-streamed clip of a Himachal Pradesh High Court hearing in which Gandhi was reprimanded in connection with the suicide of HPPCL Chief Vimal Negi.
Sharma contended that the video was officially live-streamed by the High Court and denied any involvement in editing or misuse of the footage. He described Gandhi’s allegations as "false, reckless, and unsupported by any evidence, " stating they have damaged his reputation among constituents and political colleagues.
“There is no inquiry or case registered against me in this matter, ” Sharma emphasized in his complaint, calling Gandhi’s remarks defamatory and professionally irresponsible.