The defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra, has faced numerous delays in Uttar Pradesh’s court since 2018 over comments made about Amit Shah. The next hearing is set for December 16, amidst claims of political conspiracy and frequent adjournments due to various legal and health issues affecting involved parties.
Uttar Pradesh: The defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi continues to face repeated postponements. Filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur MP-MLA court, the case, linked to comments allegedly made by Gandhi about Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the 2018 Karnataka elections, has seen several adjournments over the past five years.
On December 16, the court is set to hear the matter after multiple delays, including one on November 23 when a legal workshop was held at the civil court, and another on October 1 when the plaintiff’s lawyer, Santosh Kumar Pandey, was unwell. Gandhi’s lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla, confirmed the frequent adjournments, including the recent postponement on December 2 due to Shukla’s leave citing health issues.
Timeline of Delays
- February 2024: Rahul Gandhi appeared in court and was granted bail on two personal bonds of Rs 25,000 each.
- July 26, 2024: Gandhi recorded his statement, claiming innocence and alleging a “political conspiracy”.
- August-October 2024: Hearings were deferred multiple times due to judges’ leaves, health issues of the plaintiff’s lawyer, and other administrative reasons, including a medical camp by the Bar Association.
The case stems from alleged remarks Gandhi made against Amit Shah when the latter was BJP President. Gandhi, during his July 26 court appearance, accused the BJP of orchestrating a political vendetta.
The next hearing is scheduled for December 16, where the plaintiff is expected to present further evidence. Whether the case proceeds without further adjournments remains to be seen.
This prolonged legal battle highlights the interplay of politics and law in high-profile defamation cases, with delays often overshadowing substantive progress.
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