Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday appeared before an MP-MLA court in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur and recorded his statement in a 2018 defamation case related to his remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The court fixed March 9 as the next date of hearing when the Lok Sabha MP from Raebareli was asked to present evidence in his defence, Congress leader Kashi Prasad Shukla’s lawyer told PTI reporters.
As Gandhi came out of the court after recording his statement, Congress supporters chanted his name. Gandhi smiled and waved to the crowd before leaving.
Gandhi entered the Sultanpur court at around 10:40 am and left after recording the statement at around 11:15 am.
Congress chief Ajay Rai said after the court hearing that Gandhi had gone to Lucknow and would fly back to Delhi from there.
Ahead of the court hearing, some local Congress leaders put up posters reading “Satyamev Jayate” (truth always wins) in Sultanpur.
The case dates back to 2018, when local BJP leader Vijay Mishra filed a defamation complaint against Gandhi, alleging that during the 2018 Karnataka elections, the Congress leader had made derogatory remarks against the then BJP president and current Union Home Minister Shah.
The trial has been ongoing for the past five years.
In December 2023, an arrest warrant was issued for Gandhi for failing to appear in court.
He surrendered in February 2024, after which a special judge granted him bail on two sureties ₹25,000 each.
On 26 July 2024, Gandhi recorded his statement before the court, claiming his innocence and calling the case a political conspiracy. The court then ordered the applicant to present evidence in the case.