Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi appeared before an MP-MLA court in Sultanpur on Friday to record his statement in a defamation case linked to his remarks about Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Sultanpur in the morning and attended the hearing directly.
Congress Confirms Attendance
Congress leader Ajay Rai confirmed to that Rahul Gandhi had come specifically for the court proceedings. “He has come for the hearing and will return to Delhi afterwards,” Rai said. Ahead of the hearing, local Congress supporters displayed posters in Sultanpur reading “Satyamev Jayate” (truth always triumphs).
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Background of the Case
The case originates from 2018, when BJP leader Vijay Mishra filed a defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi. The complaint alleged that during the Karnataka elections in 2018, Gandhi made derogatory statements about the then BJP president, now Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The trial has been ongoing for the past five years.
Earlier Court Proceedings
In December 2023, a warrant was issued against Rahul Gandhi for failing to appear in court. He later surrendered in February 2024, after which a special magistrate granted him bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each. On July 26, 2024, Gandhi recorded his statement before the court, asserting his innocence and calling the case a political conspiracy. The court subsequently directed the complainant to present evidence.