The hearing in a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in India, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been deferred to February 11 after his lawyer fell ill. Special Judge Shubham Verma made the decision following the submission of a medical certificate by Gandhi’s lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla, indicating his inability to attend the court proceedings.
The case, filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra from Hanumanganj, dates back to 2018 and revolves around allegations that Gandhi made derogatory remarks during the Karnataka elections, remarks that Mishra claims caused him personal harm. The case has seen various developments, including the issuance of a warrant against Gandhi in December 2023 due to his failure to appear in court.
Rahul Gandhi surrendered to the court in February 2024 and recorded his statement on July 26. He was subsequently granted bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each. Throughout the proceedings, Gandhi has claimed that the allegations against him are part of a broader political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
