The court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, delivered a verdict on 26 October 2023 that absolved Rahul Gandhi of criminal defamation charges linked to remarks he made about then‑BJP president Amit Shah at a Bengaluru rally in 2018. The decision came after a five‑year legal saga that began when Vijay Mishra, then BJP district vice‑president, filed a complaint under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.
Gandhi denied any defamation, arguing that his remarks were merely political critique. He appeared in person before the Special MP‑MLA Court in 2023 and secured bail earlier that year. The case had been scheduled for judgment on 13 October, but the hearing was postponed to 26 October.
Senior Advocate R.S. Cheema led the defense team, joined by Kashi Shukla, Tarannum Cheema, Prasanna S and Akash Singh, while the prosecution was represented by district counsel. The court found no evidence that Gandhi’s remarks were defamatory, citing the absence of intent to harm Shah’s reputation.
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Aradhana Mishra, known as “Mona”, expressed confidence in the judiciary, saying, “We have complete faith in the judiciary. Rahul Gandhi ji will return to Sultanpur for that case only.” The verdict is seen as a relief for the opposition leader, who had faced mounting pressure from the ruling party.
The verdict frees Gandhi to resume his duties as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, a post he has held since 2019. The ruling party has yet to comment on the decision, and the case may influence how defamation suits are pursued against political figures.