The MP-MLA court in Sultanpur has rescheduled the hearing of a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to September 5 after the plaintiff, Vijay Mishra, could not appear due to ill health. The case, stemming from remarks Gandhi allegedly made during the 2018 Karnataka elections, was initially filed by Mishra, a local BJP leader and former cooperative chairman, over comments made against senior BJP leader Amit Shah.
Mishra’s lawyer, Santosh Kumar Pandey, stated that due to his client’s ill health, an application was submitted seeking additional time to present evidence, which the court accepted. “On this date, the plaintiff will have to present evidence in the court through the lawyer,” Pandey explained.
Gandhi’s lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla, also noted Mishra’s absence due to health issues and confirmed the new hearing date set by the court. Gandhi, who has been involved in this legal matter since the complaint was filed, surrendered to the court on February 20, 2024, during the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’. He was granted bail on two personal bonds of Rs 25,000 each and has made several court appearances since, including recording his statement on July 26.
The case had been scheduled for an evidence hearing on August 12, but was postponed due to the presiding judge’s absence. The upcoming hearing on September 5 is now set to focus on the evidence presented by Mishra’s legal team.
