Rahul Gandhi Defamation Case : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has received relief in an old defamation case after a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur acquitted him on October 26, 2026. The case was related to alleged objectionable remarks about Amit Shah, the then BJP president, made in Bengaluru during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election campaign. Rahul Gandhi appeared before the court for the verdict. His lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla, also confirmed the court’s decision.

BJP Leader Filed Complaint Against Rahul Gandhi
The case originated in 2018. On May 8, Rahul Gandhi allegedly made the remarks about Amit Shah while campaigning in Bengaluru. Subsequently, on August 4, BJP leader and former chairman of the District Cooperative Bank, Vijay Mishra, filed a defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi. On November 27, 2023, the court summoned Rahul Gandhi to face trial. The proceedings then continued in court, with both sides pursuing the legal process.

Rahul Gandhi Granted Bail in February 2024
On February 20, 2024, Rahul Gandhi appeared before the Sultanpur court and was granted bail. His statement was recorded in court on July 26 that year. Later, on October 9, complainant Vijay Mishra’s testimony was also recorded. During the proceedings, the complainant’s side sought to have Rahul Gandhi’s voice sample matched for verification. Several further legal applications were filed in connection with this request, leading to hearings before the courts.

Witness Testimonies and Legal Disputes Continued
The proceedings continued in 2025. On February 28, testimony was recorded from the complainant’s witness, Anil Mishra, while another witness, Ramchandra Dubey, gave his statement on December 8. Rahul Gandhi’s statement was recorded on February 20, 2026. Subsequently, on March 12, Vijay Mishra filed an application seeking voice sample matching. After the magistrate’s court rejected the application, he approached the sessions court, which also denied relief on July 15. The decision was later challenged before the High Court, where the application was dismissed.

Court Delivers Verdict After October Hearings
Final arguments in the case began on October 6, 2026, and the hearing concluded on October 12. On October 26, the special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur acquitted Rahul Gandhi. The decision brings relief to him in a defamation case that had been ongoing for six years. The matter had also attracted political attention because the alleged remarks concerned Amit Shah, who was the BJP’s national president at the time. With the court’s verdict, a significant stage in the legal proceedings has concluded.