The petition, filed by Varanasi resident Nageshwar Mishra, sought to trigger an FIR against Rahul Gandhi for comments reportedly made during his 2024 U.S. trip that suggested Sikhs felt unsafe in India. Earlier, a Chief Judicial Magistrate in Varanasi had dismissed Mishra’s application on October 17, 2025, citing a lack of verifiable details. The sessions court followed suit, quashing Mishra’s revision petition on July 9, 2026.
Justice Vikram D Chauhan, sitting on the Allahabad High Court bench, delivered the decision on Thursday, emphasizing that the sole allegation hinged on newspaper reports that failed to disclose the date, time, or location of Gandhi’s supposed remarks. "No order to register a case against a person can be passed when the allegation is merely a headline without substantiation," the judge wrote, underscoring the court’s reliance on concrete evidence.
Rahul Gandhi, who has long defended his right to free speech, issued a brief statement through his spokesperson, saying the ruling vindicates the principle that accusations must be backed by facts before legal action ensues. Meanwhile, a Sikh shopkeeper in Varanasi, who had been anxious about the potential backlash, noted that the decision brings a sense of relief to the community.
With the petition dismissed, no further proceedings are scheduled against Gandhi on this matter. However, the case remains open should new evidence surface, and political opponents may file fresh petitions if additional allegations arise in the future.