"Truth Prevailed": Congress Cheers Rahul Gandhi's Acquittal in 2018 Defamation Case
A Sultanpur court acquits Rahul Gandhi in a 2018 defamation case over remarks about Amit Shah. Congress hails the verdict as a victory for truth.
In a significant legal victory, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been acquitted in a criminal defamation case dating back to 2018. A Special MP/MLA Court in Sultanpur dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the controversial remarks made by the Congress leader during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly campaign were not defamatory.
The Court's Ruling
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Shubham Verma presided over the case, which centered on Gandhi's use of the phrase "murder accused" during his campaign speeches. The remarks were in reference to the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case in Gujarat.
While Union Home Minister Amit Shah had been linked to the matter, it is important to note that a Special CBI Court in Mumbai had completely discharged him of all charges in December 2014. The defamation complaint against Gandhi had been filed by Vijay Mishra, who served as the BJP District Vice President at the time.
Advocate Kashi Prasad Shukla, who represented Rahul Gandhi, welcomed the decision and pointed out a key legal finding: the court determined that the complainant, Vijay Mishra, did not qualify as an "aggrieved person," meaning he lacked the legal standing to pursue the case.
Congress Hails a "Victory for Truth"
The Congress party reacted with enthusiasm, framing the acquittal as a moral triumph. General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal told reporters that the judgment confirms that truth cannot fail, asserting that the BJP frequently attacks Rahul Gandhi whenever he speaks the truth.
Congress MP Pawan Khera emphasized that the court recognized the statement regarding Amit Shah being a murder accused as non-defamatory. Khera described the acquittal as a "badge of honour" for Gandhi, who he claims is leading a fight to protect India's Constitution and democracy against a backdrop of "falsehoods" and the "misuse of agencies."
Voices of Support from Party Leaders
- Aradhana Mishra Mona (UP Congress President): Termed the verdict as truth triumphing over falsehood and expressed complete faith in the judiciary.
- Sachin Pilot: Described the decision as fair and correct, noting that there have been repeated attempts to implicate Gandhi.
- Priyank Kharge (Karnataka Minister): Alleged that the case was politically motivated and suggested that such legal battles only serve to expose the RSS.
BJP's Reaction
Despite the legal outcome, the BJP remained critical of the Congress leader's rhetoric. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal stated that while the Sultanpur court may have acquitted him in this instance, the "court of the people" would not forgive Gandhi for his repeated use of "abusive language" directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family.