Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was notably absent from a district court hearing in Bareilly this Tuesday, concerning his comments on economic reservation. The court has now scheduled the next hearing for January 17, giving him another opportunity to present his side of the story.
The hearing revolved around a case initiated by Pankaj Pathak, a local divisional president of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, who took legal action against Gandhi’s remarks. The case, which has stirred considerable public and media attention, was transferred to the MP-MLA court after a previous dismissal was challenged in a review petition.
Virendra Pal Gupta, representing the petitioner, expressed disappointment over Gandhi’s absence. “Rahul Gandhi was supposed to present his side before District and Sessions Judge Sudhir Kumar today but did not attend the hearing,” Gupta stated. He also remarked that the case’s transfer to the MP-MLA court and the setting of a new hearing date highlight the legal process’s flexibility and the importance of addressing such high-profile allegations seriously.
Pathak’s legal challenge stems from Gandhi’s statement, which he claims was intended to appease one community at the expense of another, alleging it involved targeting property rights. This, Pathak asserts, has not only legal ramifications but also significant social repercussions.
