In a significant development in the ongoing defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, a witness was cross-examined at a special MP/MLA Court on Monday. The case, initiated by BJP leader Vijay Mishra, revolves around Gandhi’s remarks allegedly defaming another BJP leader, Amit Shah, during the Karnataka assembly elections in 2018.
The proceedings on Monday saw the presentation of witness Anil Mishra, a local resident, by Vijay Mishra’s counsel, Santosh Kumar Pandey. Rahul Gandhi’s defense was led by advocate Kashi Prasad Shukla, who conducted the cross-examination. However, the session concluded without completion, leading Special Judge Shubham Verma to schedule the next hearing for May 17.
This case has seen its fair share of delays and legal battles. Initially filed five years ago, it took a significant turn in December 2023 when a warrant was issued against the Rae Bareli MP. Gandhi subsequently surrendered to the court in February 2024 and secured bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each.
In his statement to the court on July 26 last year, Gandhi denied all charges, dismissing the case as a political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his image. The legal process has faced multiple adjournments, influenced by strikes among lawyers and health issues faced by Gandhi’s legal representative. The most recent of these was on February 11, when Gandhi’s lawyer Shukla successfully completed the cross-examination of the complainant, Vijay Mishra.
