Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 20: Congress leader and Rahul Gandhi, who serves as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, on Friday traveled from Lucknow airport to the Sultanpur District Court to record his statement in a defamation case related to remarks he made about Amit Shah. His movement was accompanied by heightened security measures.

Party sources stated that Gandhi was expected to reach the civil court around 10:50 a.m. Ajay Rai, Congress Uttar Pradesh State president, confirmed, “He has to go to the Sultanpur court today and will personally appear. Many party workers are coming to meet him.” Fellow Congress leader Akhilesh Pratap Singh added that Gandhi traveled from Delhi to Lucknow before proceeding to Sultanpur, and would return to Delhi after completing the court proceedings.

This appearance follows Gandhi’s absence at a prior hearing on January 19, which led the court to reschedule the matter for February 20.

The defamation case was lodged in October 2018 by local BJP member Vijay Mishra from Hanumanganj, Kotwali Dehat, Sultanpur. Mishra alleged that during a Karnataka campaign in August 2018, Gandhi made derogatory remarks against Amit Shah, calling him a “party president who is an accused in a murder case” despite BJP’s claims of promoting clean politics. The Sultanpur court had granted Gandhi bail in February 2024.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticised Gandhi, accusing him of “irresponsible behaviour” and an “anti-India mentality,” questioning whether his stance aligns with the country’s interests.

Security around the court was significantly strengthened as Congress workers gathered in support of Gandhi during his appearance.