SULTANPUR — In a major legal victory for the opposition, a Special MP-MLA Court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, acquitted Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case stemming from remarks made against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2018.
Pronouncing the judgment, the court held Gandhi “not guilty,” ruling that the statements made during a political rally did not constitute criminal defamation under law. Gandhi was present in person inside the Sultanpur courtroom when the verdict was delivered.
Key Takeaways
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Judicial Acquittal: The Special MP-MLA Court in Sultanpur found Congress leader Rahul Gandhi not guilty of criminal defamation, concluding that his 2018 remarks were not defamatory.
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Personal Appearance: The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha appeared in person before the Uttar Pradesh magistrate for the official pronouncement of the verdict.
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Origins of the Case: The criminal defamation complaint was filed in 2018 by then-BJP District Vice President Vijay Mishra under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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Legal Representation: Senior Advocate R.S. Cheema led Gandhi’s defense team alongside advocates Kashi Shukla, Tarannum Cheema, Prasanna S., and Akash Singh.
Background of the 2018 Bengaluru Speech and Legal Timeline
The criminal complaint originated from comments made by Rahul Gandhi during a political rally in Bengaluru ahead of the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections, in which he referenced then-BJP National President Amit Shah.
Following the speech, local BJP leader Vijay Mishra filed a criminal defamation suit in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that the statements caused pain to party workers and damaged the party’s reputation:
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2018 Filing: Complaint registered in Sultanpur under IPC Sections 499 (defamation) and 500 (punishment for defamation).
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2023 Summons and Bail: The court issued summons to Gandhi in late 2023, following which he appeared in Sultanpur and secured bail.
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Final Verdict: After concluding hearings and reserving its order earlier in the month, the court delivered its final judgment acquitting Gandhi on October 26, 2026.
Welcoming the judicial outcome, senior Congress leaders emphasized their continued faith in the judicial process, noting that the dismissal of the case vindicates Gandhi’s political stance and public statements.
