I am ready to go to jail if poor gets justice: Ashok Gehlot

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that he is ready is to go to jail.

“If poor gets justice. I will am ready to go to jail. I am saying all these things so that poor people can get justice. We have not run any campaign for that. The central government should also help us in giving justice to poor people,” said Gehlot, who is facing trial in defamation case filed by union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The union minister has alleged that Ashok Gehlot has defamed him and his family by accusing them in the Sanjeevani scam.

Gehlot said that he is facing trial before court for seeking justice for poor people.

“I have appeared before court four-five times in this case. Today also I have to appear. If the poor people get money the I am ready to go to jail,” he said.

Ashok Gehlot said that he was aghast to see tears in the eyes of 60-65 investors, who had lost money in Sanjeevani scam.
“I also got tears in my eyes. I started raising voice for these people so that they get justice,” he said.

Gehlot said that they have a misnomer that he is acting against someone due to bad intent.

“I have never harboured bad feelings for anyone. Why should I keep for him (Shekhawat)? People approached me as I am the chief minister. I listened to their grievances and continue to do so. I have not run any campaign against this anywhere in the state. I have not moved around anywhere for this. Even then they are not coming forward to help them (investors).
quested for exemption from personal appearance, which court had agreed to.

The Case:

Shekhawat had filed the defamation case against Gehlot in March this year, stating that an investigation was initiated into the Sanjivani case but his name was not mentioned anywhere, and demanded the prosecution of Gehlot for criminal defamation under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

He also demanded appropriate financial compensation for the loss of his reputation.

Gehlot had said after a budget review meeting at the state secretariat on February 21, 2023 that the entire Shekhawat family, including his parents and wife, were involved in the Rs 900 crore Sanjeevani scam.

Gehlot had also welcomed the filing of the defamation case, saying: “At least the case will move forward on this pretext.”