The Rahul Gandhi defamation case concluded on October 26, 2026, with a special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, acquitting the Congress leader over remarks he made about Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a 2018 election campaign.
Special Magistrate Shubham Verma pronounced the verdict, citing a lack of evidence. Gandhi appeared in person for the decision, which was welcomed by his supporters. The Congress also reacted positively, stating that truth had prevailed.
The complaint was filed on August 4, 2018, by BJP leader Vijay Mishra, a former chairman of the Sultanpur District Cooperative Bank. It concerned remarks Gandhi made about Shah, who was then the BJP president, during a campaign rally in Bengaluru ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections.
What Did the Defence and Complainant Argue?
During the final hearings, Gandhi’s lawyer acknowledged that the Congress leader had made the remarks but argued they were delivered in good faith and without an intention to insult anyone. The defence also maintained that the comments had been distorted and presented out of context.
The complainant’s lawyer urged the court to convict Gandhi, arguing that his admission to making the remarks supported the complaint.
After considering arguments from both sides, the court acquitted Gandhi.
Legal Proceedings Spanned Several Years
The case passed through multiple stages over eight years. Gandhi surrendered before the court on February 20, 2024, and was granted bail. His statement was recorded on July 26, 2024, followed by the examination of the complainant and other witnesses.
In March 2026, an application sought to match Gandhi’s voice sample. The trial court rejected it in May, and subsequent challenges were dismissed by the district court in July and the Allahabad High Court in September.
Final arguments began on October 6 and concluded on October 12, with the verdict scheduled for October 26.
Convoy Collision Reported on Purvanchal Expressway
Earlier on Monday, vehicles travelling behind Gandhi’s car collided on the Purvanchal Expressway while he was travelling from Lucknow to Sultanpur for the hearing.
The collision occurred near the 89.5-kilometre mark around 10:15 am. According to a police officer cited in the report, a private vehicle linked to local Congress leaders braked suddenly, causing vehicles behind it to collide.
Gandhi’s car was not involved, and the convoy continued towards Sultanpur. The court’s acquittal brings the criminal defamation proceedings described in the case to a close.
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