A special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur held a hearing on Thursday in the defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, with cross-examination of the complainant, Vijay Mishra, commencing. The proceedings will continue on January 10, as per Gandhi’s lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla.
The case stems from an alleged objectionable remark made by Gandhi during the 2018 Karnataka assembly elections about Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Vijay Mishra, a BJP politician from Sultanpur’s Hanumanganj area, filed the complaint, claiming the remark was offensive and deeply hurt him.
“Today, my client was cross-examined by Rahul Gandhi’s counsel. The next steps in the case will proceed on January 10,” said Mishra’s lawyer, Santosh Kumar Pandey.
The defamation case, filed in 2018, has seen several delays. Despite repeated summons, Gandhi reportedly failed to appear in court over the years. This prompted the issuance of a warrant in December 2023, compelling Gandhi to make an appearance. He finally complied in February 2024, after which the special magistrate granted him bail on two sureties of ₹25,000 each.
Gandhi recorded his statement on July 26, 2024, following multiple postponements. In his statement, he pleaded not guilty, alleging the case was part of a political conspiracy against him. The court subsequently directed the complainant to present evidence supporting the allegations.
While a hearing was initially scheduled for December 16, 2024, it was postponed due to the judge’s absence and rescheduled for January 2, 2025.
The case, now in its sixth year, highlights the ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and their broader implications.
