Karnataka High Court Suspends Proceedings Against Rahul Gandhi in Defamation Case
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Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has suspended the proceedings against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case initiated by the BJP's state unit. The bench led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna will reconvene on February 20 to review the matter. This follows a pattern of legal challenges faced by Gandhi amid political tensions.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka High Court stays proceedings against Rahul Gandhi.
- The BJP filed a defamation case related to a 40 percent commission claim.
- Hearing adjourned until February 20.
- Gandhi received bail from the Magistrate Court in June 2024.
- Former CM Basavaraj Bommai accused of corruption.
Bengaluru, Jan 17 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court on Friday halted the proceedings against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi regarding the defamation suit lodged by the state unit of the BJP.
A panel led by Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the ruling while reviewing the quash petition presented by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The hearing has been postponed until February 20.
In this case, Rahul Gandhi was granted bail by the Magistrate Court in June 2024.
The BJP has also included Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar as parties in the lawsuit.
All three, Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, and Shivakumar, appeared in court concerning this issue.
The defamation claim filed by BJP General Secretary Keshav Prasad asserts that the Congress party engaged in misleading propaganda by disseminating full-page advertisements accusing the then BJP government of imposing a 40 percent commission, branding it as a '40 percent government'.
The Congress also created posters and advertisements showcasing a supposed rate card set by the prior BJP government for various positions.
The petitioner contended that the accusations were unfounded, defamatory, and biased.
The advertisement discussed alleged scams in PSI recruitment, Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
The historic party also launched a campaign against the former CM Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government, claiming that during his tenure, Rs 1.50 lakh crore was 'looted'. The BJP subsequently filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding these allegations.
Initially presented through speeches, the allegations were later amplified by the Congress via social media campaigns and widespread poster distributions across the state.
Previously, the Karnataka High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition against Gandhi concerning derogatory remarks against Prajwal Revanna, the imprisoned former MP and grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda.
Following the dismissal of this case on October 21, 2024, the High Court panel, comprising Justice N. V. Anjaria and Justice K. V. Arvind, imposed a Rs 25,000 fine on the petitioner.
The All India Dalit Action Committee had submitted a petition against Rahul Gandhi.
