Bombay HC defers hearing in defamation case against Rahul Gandhi beyond Jan 25

The case has been filed over Rahul Gandhi's 'commander-in-thief' remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

By: Express News Service
Mumbai | Updated: December 16, 2021 08:35 PM IST

2 min read

After taking cognizance of the complaint, a magistrate’s court in Mumbai had issued summons to Gandhi in October 2019.

The Bombay High Court on Thursday deferred beyond January 25 proceedings before a magistrate court here in a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

The case was filed over Rahul’s “commander-in-thief” remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A single-judge bench of Justice Sandeep K Shinde extended the relief to Rahul while hearing his plea seeking quashing of the defamation case.

The complainant, Mahesh Shrishrimal, had stated that this remark was made by Rahul while attacking the Prime Minister in 2018 over the Rafale fighter jet deal.

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After taking cognizance of the complaint, a magistrate’s court in Mumbai had issued summons to Rahul in October 2019. The former Congress president has not appeared in person so far before the magistrate.

The petition to quash the case was filed before the Bombay High Court by Rahul’s lawyer Kushal Mor, stating that the said remark was made against the Prime Minister and the complainant is not the aggrieved party.

Shrishrimal had stated that Rahul’s statement had hurt the sentiments of the Prime Minister’s supporters.

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The HC, on November 22, directed the magistrate to defer proceedings arising in the criminal complaint by the BJP supporter beyond December 20.

On Thursday, after advocate Niteen Pradhan, who represents the complainant, sought the matter to be adjourned beyond Christmas vacation to argue at length, the court posted further hearing on Rahul’s plea on January 18.

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