Rahul Gandhi's convoy crashes on Purvanchal Expressway in UP; Gandhi unhurt
Synopsis
Rahul Gandhi escaped unhurt after multiple vehicles in his convoy collided near the 91-km milestone on Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district — just as he was headed to a special court that was due to pronounce a defamation verdict against him in a case linked to remarks about Amit Shah. Several party workers, officials and security personnel were injured.
Key Takeaways
Several vehicles in Rahul Gandhi's convoy collided on the Purvanchal Expressway near the 91-km milestone, Haliyapur area , on 26 October .
Five convoy vehicles and an ambulance were involved; party workers, security staff and officials were among the injured.
Rahul Gandhi was safe and unhurt in the accident.
Gandhi was travelling to Sultanpur to appear before a special MP-MLA court for the pronouncement of a defamation case verdict .
The defamation case was filed on 4 August 2018 by BJP leader Vijay Mishra over Gandhi's alleged remarks against Amit Shah during a 2018 Karnataka election rally .
Several people were injured on Monday, 26 October after vehicles in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy collided with each other on the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. Gandhi himself was unharmed in the incident.
How the Accident Unfolded
The collision reportedly took place near the 91-km milestone in the Haliyapur area of the expressway. According to early reports, five convoy vehicles and an ambulance were involved in the pile-up. Party workers, security personnel, and officials travelling with the convoy were among those injured. Further details on the exact number of injured and the extent of injuries were still being confirmed at the time of reporting.
Why Gandhi Was in Sultanpur
Gandhi was travelling to Sultanpur on Monday to appear in person before a special MP-MLA court in connection with a defamation case. The court was scheduled to pronounce its verdict in the matter on Monday — a hearing that required his physical presence, according to the complainant's counsel, Santosh Kumar Pandey.
The verdict had originally been scheduled for 13 October by Additional Civil Judge Shubham Verma before being rescheduled. According to Sultanpur Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal, Gandhi was expected to travel by road from Lucknow to Sultanpur, with an estimated arrival of around 10 am IST. Adequate security arrangements, including personnel deployed around the court premises, had been put in place to maintain law and order during proceedings.
Background to the Defamation Case
The case originates from 4 August 2018, when BJP leader Vijay Mishra, a former chairman of the Sultanpur District Cooperative Bank, filed a complaint against Gandhi over allegedly objectionable remarks about Amit Shah — then president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the current Union Home Minister. The remarks were reportedly made during a campaign rally in Bengaluru ahead of the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. The special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur has been hearing the matter since.
What to Watch Next
All eyes are now on the special court's verdict, which carries significant political weight given Gandhi's national stature and the identity of the complainant. The convoy accident is likely to prompt questions about motorcade protocols on high-speed expressways. Updates on the condition of those injured are expected as details emerge.
Point of View
The verdict itself, when pronounced, will draw far sharper scrutiny: a conviction or acquittal in a case built around remarks about the sitting Home Minister carries obvious national implications for both parties.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Rahul Gandhi injured in the Purvanchal Expressway convoy accident?
No, Rahul Gandhi was safe and uninjured. Several others in his convoy — including party workers, officials and security personnel — were reportedly injured when five convoy vehicles and an ambulance collided near the 91-km milestone in the Haliyapur area of Sultanpur district.
Why was Rahul Gandhi travelling to Sultanpur on 26 October?
Gandhi was required to appear in person before a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur, which was scheduled to pronounce its verdict in a defamation case filed against him. His physical presence was mandatory for the judgment to be delivered, according to the complainant's counsel.
What is the Sultanpur defamation case against Rahul Gandhi?
The case was filed on 4 August 2018 by BJP leader Vijay Mishra, a former chairman of the Sultanpur District Cooperative Bank, over allegedly objectionable remarks Gandhi made about Amit Shah during a campaign rally in Bengaluru ahead of the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. It has since been heard by the special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur.
How many vehicles were involved in the Purvanchal Expressway convoy collision?
According to early reports, five vehicles from Gandhi's convoy and one ambulance were involved in the collision near the 91-km milestone in the Haliyapur area. The full count of injured persons and the extent of injuries were still being confirmed.
When was the Sultanpur court verdict originally scheduled?
Additional Civil Judge Shubham Verma had originally scheduled the verdict for 13 October, before it was rescheduled to 26 October — the day Gandhi was travelling to the court when the convoy accident occurred.
