CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Sultanpur. A special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur is set to pronounce its verdict on Monday, October 26, in a defamation case linked to Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The case relates to Rahul Gandhi’s alleged objectionable remarks against then BJP national president Amit Shah during campaigning for the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. Arguments from both sides have been completed and the court had fixed the date for its decision. Rahul Gandhi has been directed to remain present in court at the time of the verdict.
What is the case? According to the allegation, Rahul Gandhi made remarks about Amit Shah during election campaigning in Bengaluru on May 8, 2018. BJP leader and former district cooperative bank chairman Vijay Mishra, who said he was hurt by the remarks, filed a defamation complaint in the Sultanpur court on August 4, 2018. The complainant’s side says the remarks damaged Amit Shah’s reputation. Rahul Gandhi’s defence side has presented arguments regarding the context and meaning of the statement.
Key dates in the case: May 8, 2018: The alleged remarks were made during election campaigning in Bengaluru. August 4, 2018: BJP leader Vijay Mishra filed a defamation complaint. November 27, 2023: The court summoned Rahul Gandhi to face trial. February 20, 2024: Rahul Gandhi appeared in court and was granted bail. July 26, 2024: Rahul Gandhi’s statement was recorded in court. February 28 and December 8, 2025: Statements of witnesses from the complainant’s side were recorded. February 20, 2026: Rahul Gandhi’s statement was recorded under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code. March to September 2026: The complainant sought matching of Rahul Gandhi’s voice sample. Applications challenging this demand were rejected in the lower court and later in other courts. October 6 to 12, 2026: The process of final arguments was completed and the court fixed October 26 to pronounce its verdict.
All eyes are on the verdict. The court’s decision in this case will be based on the arguments of both sides, the available evidence and legal provisions. It would not be appropriate to declare Rahul Gandhi guilty or innocent before the verdict is delivered. The further legal position in the case will become clear only after the court’s decision.
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