New Delhi, India - February 20, 2024: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was granted bail on Tuesday by a special court in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur district in connection with a defamation case filed against him by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah. The case stemmed from comments Mr. Gandhi made in 2018, allegedly accusing Mr. Shah, then BJP President, of being "murder accused" in a past case.
The Allegations and Legal Proceedings:
During a press conference in Bengaluru in 2018, Mr. Gandhi referred to Mr. Shah as "murder accused" while discussing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case. Mr. Shah was discharged from the case in 2014 due to lack of evidence. Following these remarks, a BJP worker from Sultanpur, Sunil Kumar Patel, filed a defamation case against Mr. Gandhi.
In 2019, Mr. Gandhi appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty. The trial has been ongoing since then, with arguments and witness testimonies presented by both sides.
Court's Decision and Reactions:
On Tuesday, the special court granted bail to Mr. Gandhi upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount. The court observed that Mr. Gandhi had cooperated with the investigation and was not a flight risk.
The Congress party welcomed the court's decision, calling it a "victory of truth." Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala stated, "This order exposes the vindictive and malicious campaign by the BJP government against Rahul Gandhi."
The BJP maintained that the case was "not political" and accused Mr. Gandhi of making "irresponsible remarks."
Implications and Future of the Case:
While the bail order provides temporary relief for Mr. Gandhi, the defamation case is far from over. The trial will continue, and the court's final verdict will determine if Mr. Gandhi is guilty of defamation or not.
This case has wider political implications, considering the ongoing rivalry between the Congress and BJP. It is likely to remain a point of contention between the two parties in the lead-up to the 2024 general elections.