On Friday, a special court in Bengaluru granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Karnataka unit. The case stems from advertisements published in local newspapers ahead of last year’s Assembly elections, which labelled the BJP as corrupt.
Rahul Gandhi appeared in the special court in response to a summons issued on June 1. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress President D K Shivakumar, who are also accused in the case, were granted bail on the same date.
The BJP’s Karnataka unit had sought a non-bailable warrant against Rahul Gandhi for his initial non-appearance. Congress leaders argued that Gandhi was not directly linked to the publication of the advertisements. The court exempted his appearance on June 1 but mandated his presence on June 7.
The complaint, filed by Karnataka BJP General Secretary S Keshava Prasad on May 8, 2023, alleges that Congress leaders, including Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and Gandhi, defamed the BJP by labeling the party’s administration from 2019 to 2023 as corrupt.
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Prasad claimed the Congress accused the BJP leadership of fixing prices for various postings, including Rs 2,500 crore for the Chief Minister’s post and Rs 500 crore for a minister’s post, leading to widespread corruption.
Additionally, the Congress was accused of placing advertisements on May 5, 2023, alleging high commissions in various tender deals, such as 75% in Covid kit tenders, 40% for PWD tenders, and 30% for grants to religious organizations. Prasad described these allegations as an insult to the BJP during the election period.
The special court had initially summoned the Congress leaders on March 11, 2024. Rahul Gandhi, through an advocate, requested a date in June, citing his inability to appear due to the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
In his defense, D K Shivakumar suggested that the BJP included Rahul Gandhi’s name in the case to gain publicity.
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