Sultanpur, October 26, 2026: A special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has acquitted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case linked to his remarks about Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election campaign.

The case stemmed from comments Gandhi allegedly made at a press conference in Bengaluru on May 8, 2018. The remarks led to a complaint by Vijay Mishra, a local BJP leader, who accused the Congress leader of making defamatory statements against Shah.

After hearing the matter, the court ruled in Gandhi’s favour, bringing an end to the proceedings at the trial-court level. The decision marks a significant development in the long-running legal dispute arising from the political exchanges during the Karnataka election campaign.

The complainant had alleged that Gandhi’s comments harmed Amit Shah’s reputation. Gandhi, however, denied the allegations and contested the case before the court.

The proceedings had attracted attention because of the political standing of both Gandhi and Shah. Gandhi is a senior Congress leader and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, while Shah is a senior BJP leader and the Union Home Minister.

The acquittal does not automatically prevent further legal proceedings. The complainant has indicated that he intends to challenge the verdict before an appellate court.

The case highlights the intersection of political speech and criminal defamation law in India, where allegations arising from public statements by political leaders can lead to prolonged legal battles.

The next stage of the matter will depend on whether an appeal is formally filed and how the higher court responds.

The verdict provides relief to Gandhi in this particular case, although any proposed appeal could keep the legal dispute open.

*AI Generated 

Powered by Froala Editor