The defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over Hathras remarks was adjourned to May 2 due to transfer of the presiding judge. The MP MLA court could not proceed earlier as well, delaying hearings linked to his statements.
HATHRAS: The hearing in a defamation case filed against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his remarks concerning the 2020 Hathras gangrape case was deferred to May 2, lawyers said. The case is being heard in the MP-MLA court in Hathras. It could not be taken up because the presiding judge, Deepak Nath Saraswati, has been transferred, the lawyers added.
Earlier, the matter could not proceed on March 16 in the MP-MLA court in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, when the presiding judge was reportedly away. The proceedings relate to statements Gandhi allegedly made during his visit to Boolgarhi village in Hathras on December 12, 2024.
The defamation complaint concerns allegations that Gandhi’s remarks were defamatory toward three individuals who had been acquitted in connection with the 2020 Hathras gangrape case.
Background of the case
The matter stems from the tragic 2020 incident involving the alleged gangrape of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras district in September 2020. She later died from injuries sustained during the incident. The case triggered widespread public anger and a national debate over the handling of the matter by authorities.
The victim was cremated late at night outside the village by the police, reportedly against her family’s wishes, which further intensified public controversy.
The complainants argue that Gandhi made remarks suggesting that the accused were moving freely despite the seriousness of the allegations. They claim the statements harmed their reputations, particularly because the petitioners had already been acquitted of the rape charges after a lengthy investigation and trial.
Pundhir explained the allegation in detail and said that Gandhi had made comments implying that the accused were roaming free while the victim’s family was restricted inside their home.
He stated,
“the accused were roaming freely while the victim’s family members were confined to their home.”
The defamation case has been brought by Ravi, Ram Kumar alias Ramu, and Lovkush. Their counsel argued that the statements damaged their reputations because they were acquitted after a Central Bureau of Investigation probe and a trial lasting more than two and a half years. They further submitted that during the investigation and trial, the petitioners remained in jail.
According to the petitioners’ counsel, Munna Singh Pundhir, the petitioners objected strongly to Gandhi’s remarks. He said the statements allegedly ignored the outcome of the court proceedings and the findings of the investigation.
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He also explained the criminal case’s background and the role of the accused. Pundhir claimed that initially only one person, Sandeep, was named in the case, while the other three petitioners were later implicated.
Pundhir said,
“He said notices were earlier sent to Gandhi seeking a response, but no reply was received, following which the defamation case was filed.”
He further said that a legal notice had been served on the Congress leader seeking compensation for the alleged harm caused to the petitioners’ reputations. The notice demanded a total of ₹1.5 crore—₹50 lakh each for the three men who were acquitted.
The defamation proceedings are expected to resume when the matter comes up for hearing before the MP-MLA court in Hathras on May 2.
At the next stage, the court will consider the allegations made by the petitioners, the statements attributed to Rahul Gandhi, and the objections raised by his legal team before deciding how to proceed in the defamation complaint.
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