Congress leader summoned over alleged comments on Indian soldiers during Bharat Jodo Yatra. Security heightened around court ahead of his appearance.
Lucknow: On July 15, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Lucknow to attend a hearing in a defamation case filed against him. The case is connected to remarks he allegedly made about Indian soldiers during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022.
Rahul Gandhi landed at Lucknow airport around 1 PM and proceeded towards the special MP/MLA court. He was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai and party in-charge Avinash Pande.
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According to Ajay Rai,
“He (Gandhi) is scheduled to attend the court hearing and would return to Delhi later in the day. He is likely to come to Uttar Pradesh again to visit his constituency Raebareli over the next few days.”
To ensure security during his visit, the police tightened security along his travel route and around the court premises.
The defamation complaint was filed by Uday Shankar Srivastava, a retired director of the Border Roads Organisation, which is an Army-equivalent post of a colonel.
The complaint refers to a statement Rahul Gandhi allegedly made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra on December 16, 2022. While addressing media and the public, he commented on the December 9, 2022 clash between Indian and Chinese troops near the Arunachal Pradesh border.
As per the complaint, Gandhi had said,
“People will ask what all about Bharat Jodo Yatra, but will not ask even once about the beating of our soldiers by Chinese soldiers.”
Srivastava claimed that this statement hurt his sentiments and the dignity of Indian soldiers. He alleged that such remarks were disrespectful and damaging to the morale of the armed forces.
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After examining the complaint and evidence, the special MP/MLA court took cognisance of the matter. On February 11, the court issued summons to Rahul Gandhi, asking him to appear as an accused under defamation charges.
Gandhi’s lawyer, Advocate Pranshu Agarwal, confirmed that the case is related to alleged defamatory remarks made against Indian soldiers. He further stated that Gandhi complied with the court’s summons by appearing in person.
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The case is currently being heard by the special court set up to handle cases against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies.
The next developments in the case will depend on the court proceedings following this appearance. Gandhi is expected to return to Uttar Pradesh soon to visit his Raebareli constituency.
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