A court in Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh on Friday listed the defamation case against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for next hearing on August 12.

Gandhi appeared before the Sultanpur court this morning in connection with the case over alleged objectionable remarks on Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Advocate Santosh Kumar Pandey, the complainant’s lawyer, said, “He (Rahul Gandhi) denied the allegations and said that he is being framed for political reasons and to malign his image. He answered the questions asked by the court. He recorded his statement. Now, we have to produce evidence on August 12, 2024.”

The case was registered based on a complaint lodged by BJP leader Vijay Mishra in 2018.

Advocate Santosh Kumar Pandey said that Rahul Gandhi used defamatory words against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Bengaluru on May 8, 2018.

The case was filed in the District and Sessions Court of MP-MLA Court Sultanpur on August 4, 2018. Rahul Gandhi allegedly made the remarks during an election rallly in Bengaluru in the run-up to the Karnataka elections.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai said, “He (Rahul Gandhi) will appear in court. 30-31 cases have been filed against him across the country to harass him, but the Congress party is fighting bravely.” (ANI)