Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appeared before a Bhiwandi court on Saturday to provide fresh bail in a 2014 defamation case filed by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist.
Gandhi named Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal as his new guarantor, news agency PTI reported.
Gandhi, who faced a black-flag protest by BJP workers on his way to Bhiwandi in Thane district, reached the court building with Sakpal and other senior party leaders.
What is the 2014 RSS defamation case?
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist Rajesh Kunte filed a complaint in court alleging that Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Sonale village during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, said that the Sangh was behind the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
The false remark damaged the image of the RSS, Kunte alleged in his complaint under Section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Kunte’s cross-examination and re-examination during the trial ended.
Why did Rahul Gandhi appear in court today?
Rahul Gandhi had to appear in court in person in the case following the death of his previous surety, former Union minister Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, who died in December last year.
The court proceedings, which included Gandhi signing a new bail bond, were completed within half an hour. Sakpal was introduced as his new surety in the case.
Gandhi’s lawyer Narayan Iyer confirmed that the procedural formalities were successful.
“We have full faith in the Indian judiciary and are confident that justice will be done. Though Gandhi has been granted a permanent exemption from appearing in person in future hearings, we will present witnesses in our defense at the appropriate time,” PTI quoted Iyer as saying.
He said the cross-examination of the Investigating Officer (IO) would continue now that the bail formalities were completed and clarified that no examination of Gandhi was scheduled for the day.