Rahul Gandhi Gets Relief in 2018 Defamation Case: Key Details of the Verdict
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been acquitted in a criminal defamation case over his remarks about Amit Shah at a rally in 2018. A special court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, pronounced him ‘not guilty’, ruling that his remarks were not defamatory.
Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, appeared in person before the Special MP-MLA Court in Sultanpur for the pronouncement of the judgment.
Mishra later spoke about his decision to file the complaint after the court summoned Gandhi in November 2023.
"I was the vice president of BJP when this incident happened...When I heard these allegations, I felt very pained because I am a 33-year-old worker of the party. I filed a complaint regarding this through my lawyer and this continued for almost five years," Mishra had told ANI on November 28, 2023.
The court had initially scheduled October 13 for the pronouncement of its judgment. The date was subsequently changed to October 26, when the court acquitted Gandhi, holding that his remarks were not defamatory.
Ahead of the judgment, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ expressed confidence in the judicial process while speaking to PTI Videos.
"We have complete faith in the judiciary. Rahul Gandhi ji is going to Sultanpur for that case only."
The verdict brings the criminal defamation proceedings against Gandhi in this case to a close at the trial court level.
Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, appeared in person before the Special MP-MLA Court in Sultanpur for the pronouncement of the judgment.
What Is the 2018 Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi?
The case dates back to 2018, when Vijay Mishra, the then BJP district vice-president, filed a criminal defamation complaint against Gandhi. The complaint was filed under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) over Gandhi’s remarks at a rally in Bengaluru ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections that year.Mishra later spoke about his decision to file the complaint after the court summoned Gandhi in November 2023.
"I was the vice president of BJP when this incident happened...When I heard these allegations, I felt very pained because I am a 33-year-old worker of the party. I filed a complaint regarding this through my lawyer and this continued for almost five years," Mishra had told ANI on November 28, 2023.
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Rahul Gandhi Appeared Before Court in 2023
Gandhi appeared before the court in 2023 and secured bail as the legal proceedings continued. The case remained pending for several years before the court moved towards delivering its verdict.The court had initially scheduled October 13 for the pronouncement of its judgment. The date was subsequently changed to October 26, when the court acquitted Gandhi, holding that his remarks were not defamatory.
Who Represented Rahul Gandhi in Court?
Senior Advocate RS Cheema represented Gandhi alongside advocates Kashi Shukla, Tarannum Cheema, Prasanna S and Akash Singh.Ahead of the judgment, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ expressed confidence in the judicial process while speaking to PTI Videos.
"We have complete faith in the judiciary. Rahul Gandhi ji is going to Sultanpur for that case only."
The verdict brings the criminal defamation proceedings against Gandhi in this case to a close at the trial court level.
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