[Rahul Gandhi's Defamation Case] UP Court Orders Gandhi To Appear On July 2

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An MP-MLA court directed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear on July 2 for a defamation case regarding alleged objectionable remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

[ Rahul Gandhi's Defamation Case] UP Court Orders Gandhi to Appear on July 2 — [ Rahul Gandhi’s Defamation Case] UP Court Orders Gandhi to Appear on July 2

Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh): On June 26th: An MP-MLA court directed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear on July 2 for a defamation case regarding alleged objectionable remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Santosh Kumar Pandey, the complainant’s lawyer, noted that Ram Pratap requested to be included as a party in the case. Pandey opposed Pratap’s request, arguing that Pratap is neither a victim nor relevant to the matter.

Kashi Prasad Shukla, Gandhi’s lawyer present in court, also opposed the petitioner’s plea. Despite the objections, the court dismissed the request and ordered Gandhi to personally appear on the next hearing date.

The defamation case against Gandhi, filed in 2018 over alleged objectionable remarks against Shah, was initiated by BJP leader Vijay Mishra. Gandhi suspended his “Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra” in Amethi on February 20 this year to appear in court, where he was granted bail.

Section 499 And 500 of IPC

According to section 499 of IPC, whoever, by words either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by visible representations, makes or publishes any imputation concerning any person intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the reputation of such person, is said, except in the cases hereinafter expected, to defame that person.

Section 499 also cites exceptions. These include “imputation of truth” which is required for the “public good” and thus has to be published, on the public conduct of government officials, the conduct of any person touching any public question and merits of the public performance.

Section 500, which is on punishment for defamation, reads: “Whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”