A special court in Bengaluru on June 7 granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by the BJP Karnataka unit following a 'publication of derogatory advertisements against the party in mainstream newspapers before the 2023 state assembly elections'.
In a private complaint filed before the court, the BJP functionary and MLC Keshav Prasad alleged on May 8, 2023, that the Congress leaders were calling their administration from 2019 to 2023 in the state corrupt amid the 2023 state assembly elections. He labeled the allegations as “an insult to the BJP party during the elections.”.
Meanwhile, it is pertinent to note that the Congress has denied Rahul Gandhi's involvement in the publication of the advertisement. Earlier, Karnataka Congress chief D. K. Shivakumar, on the BJP's complaint, said, “They have added Rahul Gandhi’s name to gain publicity.”
Significantly, apart from Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress Chief D. K. Shivakumar have also been named as co-accused in the case. Both the leaders were granted bail by the Karnataka court on June 1 recently. The court also exempted the appearance of Rahul Gandhi on June 1 but stated that he must be present on June 7.
“The application filed by the accused No. 4 is allowed, and his personal appearance for today is dispensed with. It is made clear that the accused No. 4 shall appear before this court on the next date of hearing without fail,” the court said while listing the matter for June 7.
Further, the Congress Karnataka chief, speaking of Gandhi's appearance in court, said Rahul Gandhi will appear before the city civil court in Bengaluru at 10.30 am on Friday and later will also hold a discussion with the newly elected Congress MPs from the state.
He said, :BJP has filed a false, bogus case against me, CM Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi and summons have been issued. In order to respect the court, Rahul Gandhi will attend the court today."
