Rahul Gandhi to appear in Bengaluru court over defamation case
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will appear before a special court in Bengaluru on Friday (June 7) in relation to a defamation case lodged by the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gandhi will present himself before the City Civil Court at 10:30am. The BJP filed the complaint against three Congress leaders, including Gandhi, in June 2023, accusing the grand old party of publishing alleged defamatory advertisements in mainstream newspapers ahead of the state assembly election.
Post-Court meeting scheduled with newly elected MPs
After his court appearance, Gandhi is scheduled to meet with newly elected MPs from the state and defeated candidates at Bharat Jodo Bhavan on Queens Road at 11:30am. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are also expected to attend this meeting. This gathering will take place shortly after Gandhi's anticipated court appearance.
Defamation case originates from election campaign advertisements
The Congress's ads, titled "Corruption rate card," accused the then-BJP government of large-scale corruption during its 2019-2023 term. The advertisements specifically alleged that the government was a "40% Commission Sarkara (government)," implying it took a 40% commission on public works and exorbitant bribes for postings and recruitment. The BJP filed a complaint in June 2023, one month after the ads were disseminated, stating that false and reckless allegations were made by the Congress in its May 5, 2023, ads.
Congress's 'Corruption rate card'
Bail granted to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in defamation case
The complaint further stated that these ads were issued by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee through its president, Shivakumar, and Siddaramaiah, the then Leader of the Opposition. The BJP also highlighted that Gandhi shared this "defamatory advertisement" on his social media account. On June 1, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were granted bail after appearing before the court in connection with this case. Judge K N Shivakumar also set June 7 for Gandhi's personal appearance.
