Rahul Gandhi acquitted in 2018 Amit Shah defamation case; Congress hails verdict
Synopsis
A special MP-MLA court acquitted Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case over his 2018 remarks against Home Minister Amit Shah — a legal win Congress framed as vindication of its broader narrative that Opposition leaders face targeted litigation. With the BJP complainant signalling an appeal, the case may have further chapters.
Key Takeaways
Rahul Gandhi was acquitted by a special MP-MLA court on 26 October 2026 in a defamation case over his 2018 remarks against Amit Shah .
Congress leader Aradhana Misra Mona called the verdict a 'victory for the judiciary' and said it reaffirmed the party's faith in the courts.
Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh alleged the case was part of a pattern of politically motivated FIRs against Opposition leaders.
Samajwadi Party leader S.T.
Hasan criticised the trend of implicating Opposition figures, saying the court had 'separated truth from falsehood.' BJP complainant Vijay Mishra said he would study the judgment and consider filing an appeal before the appellate court.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was acquitted on Monday, 26 October 2026, by a special MP-MLA court in a defamation case stemming from remarks he made against Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2018. The Congress party swiftly welcomed the verdict, calling it a victory for the judiciary and asserting that truth had prevailed.
Congress Hails the Verdict
Congress leader Aradhana Misra Mona, speaking to reporters, said the party had always maintained faith in the judicial system and that Monday's ruling had reinforced that belief. 'This is a victory for the judiciary, a huge victory. We had faith in our judiciary, and today that faith has been reaffirmed,' she said.
Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh also welcomed the decision, crediting the Constitution of India. He alleged that multiple cases had been registered against Opposition leaders under pressure, describing the proceedings against Gandhi as a deliberate attempt to disrupt his political work. 'Truth will certainly prevail. We are all going out to open a 'shop of love' and build brotherhood,' he said, adding that he was confident other cases against Opposition leaders would be similarly dismissed.
Congress MLC Deepak Singh echoed those sentiments, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had repeatedly tried to harass the Leader of Opposition through what he described as fabricated cases. Singh indicated the Congress would continue raising issues including the handling of the Sangeeta Bhandari murder case, citing what he called the BJP's alleged double standards.
Opposition Solidarity
Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hasan used the occasion to comment on what he described as a broader deterioration in political culture. 'The ruling party tries to implicate Opposition leaders in every possible way. This has become a very unhealthy trend,' he said, adding that personal animosity had begun to overshadow political differences in Indian public life. He credited the court with separating truth from falsehood.
BJP Complainant to Explore Appeal
BJP leader and complainant Vijay Mishra struck a measured note after the verdict, saying he would study the judgment before deciding on the next legal step. 'We will study the judgment through our advocate after receiving a certified copy. After taking legal advice, we will appeal before the appellate court,' he said.
Background and Context
The defamation case dates to 2018, when Gandhi reportedly made remarks against Home Minister Shah that the complainant alleged were defamatory. The case was heard before the special court designated for sitting and former lawmakers. This is not the first legal battle Gandhi has faced — he was previously convicted in a separate defamation matter in Surat in 2023, a verdict that temporarily disqualified him from Parliament before being stayed on appeal. Monday's acquittal marks a significant legal reprieve, reinforcing the Congress's narrative that Opposition leaders face targeted litigation. The BJP has consistently denied such allegations.
With the complainant indicating a potential appeal, the legal chapter on this case may not yet be fully closed.
Point of View
While the BJP's response, measured for now, hinges on whether an appeal follows. What the verdict does not resolve is the wider question of whether India's special MP-MLA courts are moving fast enough on cases involving sitting lawmakers on both sides. Gandhi's 2023 Surat conviction, which briefly cost him his Lok Sabha seat, already showed how consequential these courts can be; Monday's acquittal is the counter-data point. The real story is systemic: with multiple cases pending against leaders across party lines, the credibility of these courts — and the political use of criminal law — deserves scrutiny beyond the partisan framing both sides are quick to deploy.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 2018 defamation case against Rahul Gandhi?
The case stemmed from remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in 2018 that BJP leader Vijay Mishra alleged were defamatory against Home Minister Amit Shah. It was heard before a special MP-MLA court, which acquitted Gandhi on 26 October 2026.
Why does this acquittal matter politically?
The Congress has argued that multiple cases against Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders are politically motivated attempts to disrupt their work. The acquittal gives the party a fresh legal basis to press that argument. It also comes after Gandhi's 2023 Surat defamation conviction, which temporarily disqualified him from Parliament, making this verdict a significant reversal in legal fortunes.
Will the BJP appeal the acquittal?
BJP leader and complainant Vijay Mishra said he would examine the judgment after receiving a certified copy and consult his legal team before deciding whether to appeal before the appellate court.
What did Congress leaders say about the verdict?
Congress leader Aradhana Misra Mona called it 'a victory for the judiciary,' saying the verdict reaffirmed the party's faith in the courts. Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh alleged the original case was part of a broader pattern of politically motivated FIRs against Opposition figures.
How does this case compare to Rahul Gandhi's earlier Surat conviction?
In 2023, Gandhi was convicted in a separate defamation case in Surat, which led to his temporary disqualification as an MP — a ruling that was subsequently stayed on appeal. Monday's acquittal in the 2018 Amit Shah case is a contrasting outcome, though the two cases involve different complainants, courts, and facts.
