Will the Varanasi court hear the review plea against Rahul Gandhi today?
Synopsis
Today, the Varanasi MP-MLA court will deliberate on a review petition against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi concerning remarks made during his visit to the United States. This case has garnered significant attention, raising questions about political accountability and free speech in India.
Key Takeaways
The Varanasi court will address a significant review petition against Rahul Gandhi.
This case raises important questions about political speech in India.
The developments could impact public perception of political accountability.
Varanasi, Feb 19 (NationPress) Today, a Varanasi MP-MLA court is set to address a review petition lodged against Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress figure and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
This case revolves around comments that Gandhi allegedly made during his trip to the United States in September 2024.
In the complaint, he questioned if Sikhs in India would be allowed to wear turbans and kadas and whether he would have access to gurdwaras as a Sikh.
Objecting to these remarks, Nageshwar Mishra, a local resident of Tilmapur in the Sarnath region and a former village head, filed the complaint.
The initial complaint was dismissed on November 28, 2024, by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate IV Neeraj Tripathi. In response, Mishra submitted a review petition to the MP-MLA court of the Sessions Court. After deliberation, Judge Yajuvendra Vikram Singh overturned the ACJM's decision.
Subsequently, Gandhi filed a criminal monitoring petition with the Allahabad High Court to contest these proceedings. However, his plea was rejected. On September 26, 2025, the High Court instructed the lower court to reevaluate and rehear the case.
Following this directive, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate IV again dismissed the complaint on October 17, 2025. In response to this latest ruling, Mishra, through his legal counsel, filed another monitoring petition with the Sessions Court.
Upon reviewing the petition, the court issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi regarding both aspects of the case.
The hearing was initially scheduled for January 29 but was postponed as MP-MLA Court Judge Yajuvendra Vikram Singh was designated as the presiding officer for the Bar Council elections.
The review petition is now on the agenda for today's hearing.
Point of View
It’s essential to recognize that this case touches on fundamental issues of freedom of expression and political accountability. We must approach it with a balanced perspective, respecting both the legal processes and the voices of the constituents involved.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basis of the review petition against Rahul Gandhi?
The review petition is based on remarks made by Rahul Gandhi regarding Sikh rights in India during his visit to the United States.
What was the outcome of the initial complaint against Gandhi?
The initial complaint was dismissed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, leading to the filing of a review petition by Nageshwar Mishra.
What direction did the Allahabad High Court give regarding the case?
The Allahabad High Court directed the lower court to reconsider and rehear the case after dismissing Gandhi's criminal monitoring petition.
When is the review petition expected to be heard?
The review petition is scheduled to be heard later today.
Who is Nageshwar Mishra?
Nageshwar Mishra is a local resident of Tilmapur and a former village head who filed the complaint against Rahul Gandhi.
