A special MP-MLA court in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday adjourned the hearing in a defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged objectionable remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The matter will now be heard on July 14, 2025.
Witness Fails To Appear
The case, filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra in 2018, was scheduled for witness examination on Wednesday. However, the proceedings were deferred after the witness failed to appear in court. Advocate Santosh Kumar Pandey, representing Mishra, confirmed the adjournment and added that the court would now wait to examine the witness on the next date.
Background Of The Case
The complaint stems from remarks allegedly made by Gandhi during the Karnataka Assembly election campaign in 2018. According to Mishra, the Congress leader made statements that were defamatory and targeted Amit Shah in a derogatory manner.
Mishra approached the court alleging that Gandhi’s remarks not only insulted Shah but also maligned the BJP’s reputation. Following the complaint, the court took cognizance and initiated legal proceedings.
Warrant & Surrender
In December 2023, the MP-MLA court issued a warrant against Gandhi in connection with the case. Subsequently, in February 2024, Gandhi surrendered before the court. He was granted bail on two sureties of ₹25,000 each.
During the proceedings, the Congress leader maintained his stance that the case was politically motivated. On July 26, 2024, he appeared in court to record his statement under Section 313 of the CrPC, claiming innocence and asserting that the complaint was part of a larger political conspiracy against him.
Political Undertones
The defamation case has once again brought political tensions to the courtroom, with Gandhi’s legal team alleging that the complaint is aimed at stifling dissent. Meanwhile, the BJP leader who filed the case insists that political leaders must be held accountable for defamatory public statements, especially during election campaigns.
With the next hearing set for July 14, the court is expected to take up the examination of the witness, whose testimony could play a crucial role in determining the direction of the trial.
As the matter continues, it remains a high-profile case highlighting the intersection of political rivalry and legal accountability in India’s democratic framework.
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