RAJDEEP SARDESAI vs STATE OF A.P..

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's dismissal of criminal petitions challenging summons issued for defamation under Sections 499, 500, and 120B of the IPC, arising from news reports implicating Rajiv Trivedi in the Sohrabuddin encounter case. The Court emphasized that prior sanction under Section 199(4) Cr.P.C. is necessary for prosecution of defamation against public servants. The appeals were dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision and the validity of the summons issued by the lower court.