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Defamation Case Filed by Sudhir Sharma

Dharamshala: Sudhir Sharma, a five-time MLA from Dharamshala, has lodged a criminal defamation lawsuit against Sanjeev Gandhi, the Shimla Superintendent of Police, who is currently on leave. The complaint was submitted to the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in Dharamshala.

Sharma, who transitioned from Congress to BJP and resides in Rakkar panchayat of Dharamshala tehsil, claims that SP Gandhi made unfounded and damaging remarks about him during a press conference in Shimla on May 23, 2025.

In his petition, Sharma alleges that Gandhi accused him of orchestrating the defection of six Congress MLAs to the BJP in March 2024. Gandhi purportedly stated during the press briefing that Sharma had bribed these legislators for personal political advantage and that this matter was under investigation.

Additionally, Gandhi accused Sharma of intentionally sharing a live-streamed video of a Himachal Pradesh High Court hearing, where Gandhi faced reprimand related to the suicide case of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Chief Vimal Negi, which is linked to an ongoing case (CWP No. 6508/2025, Ms. Kiran Negi vs. The State of H.P. & Others).

Sharma's complaint asserts that these allegations are “completely baseless, reckless, and lacking any credible evidence.” He emphasizes that the live-streaming of the court proceedings was sanctioned by the High Court, and he played no part in altering or misusing the footage.

Labeling Gandhi’s statements as “defamatory and unprofessionally irresponsible,” Sharma contends that these remarks have significantly damaged his reputation among constituents, colleagues, and political allies. He noted, “There is no official inquiry or registered case against me regarding this issue.”

To support his claims, Sharma has provided a pen drive containing video evidence from the press conference (Annexure C-1) and relevant articles from prominent Hindi newspapers, including Dainik Jagran and Punjab Kesri (Annexure C-2). A certificate under Section 63 of the Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam-2023 has also been included.

The complaint argues that Gandhi’s statements were made without just cause and aimed at damaging Sharma’s reputation. The court has been requested to acknowledge the complaint, summon SP Sanjeev Gandhi, and commence defamation proceedings against him under applicable legal statutes.