Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to appear before a court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday in connection with a defamation case filed against him for allegedly making derogatory remarks about senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The defamation case, initiated by BJP leader Vijay Mishra, dates back to 2018. The controversy began when Rahul Gandhi, during a press conference in Bengaluru, referred to Amit Shah as an “accused” in a murder case. Mishra, a district co-operative chairman, filed the complaint, asserting that Gandhi’s comments were damaging to Shah’s reputation.
Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, is expected to arrive at Lucknow airport before heading to Sultanpur for his court appearance. He was previously granted bail in this case on February 20, interrupting his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ to attend the court proceedings.
Special Magistrate Shubham Verma has summoned Gandhi to record his statement, warning of stern action if he fails to comply. Gandhi has missed 12 consecutive hearings, and during the previous session, his lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla, cited his parliamentary duties as the reason for his absence on July 2.
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Background of the Defamation Case
The defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi was filed on August 4, 2018, following remarks he made during a Bengaluru press conference. In his statement, Gandhi criticized the BJP, claiming that the party professed to uphold honest and clean politics while having a party president who was an “accused” in a murder case, referring to Amit Shah, who was then the BJP chief.
Vijay Mishra, in his complaint, accused Gandhi of spreading false and defamatory statements aimed at tarnishing Shah’s reputation. The charges fall under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to defamation and spreading rumors intended to harm someone’s reputation.
Court Proceedings and Legal Context
The case has seen several developments over the years, with Gandhi previously securing bail and attending court sessions. Special Magistrate Shubham Verma’s recent directive for Gandhi to appear and record his statement underscores the ongoing legal scrutiny.
The sections under which Gandhi is charged, IPC 499 and 500, deal specifically with the act of making and disseminating statements intended to defame an individual. If found guilty, these charges could result in legal repercussions, including fines or imprisonment.
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