Today, On 19th September, The defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been postponed, with the next hearing scheduled for September 21. This case stems from remarks made by Gandhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign, where he allegedly insulted the “Modi” surname. A lower court had convicted him earlier, which led to his disqualification as a Member of Parliament.
Sultanpur: The defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, postponed on Thursday due to the absence of the complainant’s lawyer.
Advocate Santosh Kumar Pandey, representing plaintiff Vijay Mishra, requested more time, citing his involvement in multiple cases scheduled in other courts. Special judge Shubham Verma approved the request, setting the next hearing for September 21.
The case pertains to remarks Gandhi made during the 2018 Karnataka elections about Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was BJP president at the time.
Vijay Mishra, a local BJP leader and former cooperative chairman, lodged the defamation complaint in August 2018, and the case has been ongoing since then.
Rahul Gandhi surrendered to the court on February 20, 2024, during the “Bharat Jodo Yatra,” and was granted bail on personal bonds of Rs 25,000. Despite multiple court notices, Gandhi couldn’t appear due to the Lok Sabha elections.
He eventually appeared on July 26, stating that the case filed for “cheap publicity” and denied making defamatory statements.
After several delays, including the special judge being on leave and the plaintiff’s health issues, the next hearing has been postponed multiple times.
This case is just one of several legal challenges Gandhi has faced in recent years, many of which stem from comments made in the political sphere.
The defamation case garnered significant media attention, not only because it involves a key opposition figure but also due to its potential impact on the political landscape. The remarks in question have been a focal point in the broader narrative of political discourse in India, highlighting the deep-seated rivalries and the contentious nature of electoral politics in the country.