A Lucknow court on Tuesday granted bail to the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in a 2022 defamation case over remarks against the Army after he made an appearance.
Rahul Gandhi is alleged to have made defamatory remarks against Indian soldiers during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022.
According to Rahul Gandhi's counsel, advocate Pranshu Agarwal, the Congress leader was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 and two sureties after his appearance.
According to reports, the Rae Bareli MP was taken to the judge's chamber where formalities took place.
The court had summoned Rahul Gandhi after taking cognisance of the defamation complaint.
The Congress leader had approached the High Court seeking relief in the matter, but failed to secure it.
"He (Gandhi) has been scheduled to appear for the court proceeding and will travel back to Delhi the same day. He may return to Uttar Pradesh in the coming days to visit Raebareli, his parliamentary constituency," Rai told news agency PTI ahead of the hearing.
The defamation case was filed by Uday Shankar Srivastava, a former Border Roads Organisation director.
According to the complaint, during a public address to media and citizens on December 16, 2022, as part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi referenced the December 9, 2022 border confrontation between Indian and Chinese forces in Arunachal Pradesh. He reportedly stated that "people will inquire about various aspects of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, but won't question even once the thrashing of our soldiers by Chinese forces".
The complainant claimed that Gandhi's remarks regarding the alleged assault on Indian troops by Chinese personnel caused him emotional distress.
The special court issued summons for Gandhi on defamation charges on February 11.
