Hearing in Rahul Gandhi's defamation case postponed to December 8 as Sultanpur court proceedings were halted due to lawyer’s demise. Case dates back to remarks made during 2018 Karnataka campaign.

Sultanpur (UP): The defamation case against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was adjourned on Wednesday and will now be heard on December 8, after local lawyers abstained from court duties due to the death of civil court advocate Sudhanshu Upadhyay.

Gandhi’s counsel, Kashi Prasad Shukla, informed the court that a condolence meeting was held, resulting in the suspension of legal proceedings for the day. The matter has been transferred to the MP-MLA court for the next hearing.

The case originates from August 4, 2018, when BJP leader Vijay Mishra accused Rahul Gandhi of making objectionable remarks against then BJP president and current Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during an election speech in Karnataka.

After Gandhi failed to appear across multiple hearings over five years, a warrant was issued in December 2023. He surrendered before the court in February 2024 and was granted bail on two sureties of ₹25,000 each. In July 2024, Gandhi maintained his innocence, calling the case politically motivated.

At the court’s direction, the complainant began presenting witnesses. So far, only one witness has completed cross-examination, indicating slow progress.

The adjournment further extends what has already become a prolonged legal battle. With the next hearing scheduled ahead of key political developments, the case could influence political narratives depending on how testimony progresses. Legal experts note that high-profile defamation cases often see delays, but prolonged timelines can be strategically significant in an election-bound atmosphere.