Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been granted permanent exemption by a Bhiwandi court from appearing in a criminal defamation case filed against him by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Rajesh Kunte. The case was filed after Gandhi's speech in which he allegedly accused the RSS of being responsible for Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. The trial had been ongoing since 2014, and Gandhi had pleaded not guilty during his appearance in 2018. However, in 2022, he applied for a permanent exemption, citing his duties as a Member of Parliament. The complainant's lawyer opposed the application by bringing up Gandhi's conviction in a Surat defamation case, which resulted in his disqualification as an MP.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been granted permanent exemption by a Bhiwandi court from appearing in a criminal defamation case filed against him by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Rajesh Kunte. Gandhi's lawyer, Advocate NV Iyyer, argued that his client had already filed for exemption and that the new developments, including the conviction in the Surat case, cannot disregard the application. After hearing all parties, the judicial magistrate LC Wadikar allowed the exemption application. The court will now commence the recording of evidence starting on June 3, 2023.
TAGS: permanent exemption Rahul Gandhi criminal defamation case Bhiwandi court RSS leader Rajesh Kunte Mahatma Gandhi Surat court Advocate NV Iyyer judicial magistrate LC Wadikar recording of evidence.
