Mishra, a resident of Hanumanganj under Kotwali Dehat police station area, filed the case in 2018. He alleged that Gandhi made an “indecent remark” that hurt him personally. Over the past five years, the case saw multiple proceedings. However, Rahul Gandhi reportedly failed to appear before the court for a long time.
Uttar Pradesh: A special court on Tuesday conducted a hearing in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and MP from Raebareli.
The case was filed by Vijay Mishra, a local BJP politician, over an alleged objectionable remark made by Gandhi about Home Minister Amit Shah during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections.
Advocate Santosh Kumar Pandey, representing complainant Vijay Mishra, informed the court that Gandhi’s lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla, had completed the cross-examination of Mishra. “The court posted the hearing on February 24, when the witness would be cross-examined,” he added.
Background
Mishra, a resident of Hanumanganj under Kotwali Dehat police station area, filed the case in 2018. He alleged that Gandhi made an “indecent remark” that hurt him personally. Over the past five years, the case saw multiple proceedings. However, Rahul Gandhi reportedly failed to appear before the court for a long time.
In December 2023, following the issuance of a court warrant, Gandhi finally appeared in court. In February 2024, he responded to the summons, and the special magistrate granted him bail upon submission of two sureties of Rs.25,000 each.
Following his bail, the court instructed him to record his statement. However, due to multiple postponements, it was only completed on July 26, 2024. During the hearing, Gandhi pleaded not guilty and claimed that the case was politically motivated.
“The case was a part of a political conspiracy against him,” he stated. However, the court directed the complainant to present evidence.
The next hearing is scheduled for February 24, 2025, where further cross-examination of the witness will take place.
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