Court fixes March 12 hearing for arguments in Rahul Gandhi defamation case on Amit Shah remarks

A special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur has fixed March 12 for hearing arguments in a 2018 criminal defamation case against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi over remarks he allegedly made about Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a political campaign. Advocate Santosh Kumar Pandey , counsel for the complainant, said Special Judge Shubham Verma will take up further arguments on that date. The case was filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra .

The complaint originated from remarks Rahul Gandhi is accused of making during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly election campaign . According to court records, Rahul Gandhi said that while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed to believe in “honest and clean politics,” it was nonetheless led by a “ party president who is an accused in a murder case ,” referring to Shah’s past connection with the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case . At the time, Shah was BJP national president; a special CBI court later discharged him in 2014. The complainant contended that these words harmed Shah’s reputation and warranted criminal action.

The matter has been proceeding in the MP/MLA court for nearly five years. In December 2023 , a warrant was issued against Rahul Gandhi for failing to appear in person. He subsequently surrendered in February 2024 and was granted bail on furnishing two sureties of Rs 25,000 each by a special magistrate.

Rahul Gandhi has made several court appearances in the case. On July 26, 2024 , he first recorded his statement under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code, denying the charges and characterising the case as a “political conspiracy,” after which the court directed the complainant to produce evidence.

Most recently, on February 20, 2026 , Rahul Gandhi appeared before the MP/MLA court in Sultanpur and again recorded his statement. His lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla , quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying at that time that the allegations were “ baseless and unfounded ,” that he had never used derogatory language with the intention of defaming anyone and that the complaint was filed out of political malice to damage his and his party’s image.

The complainant’s counsel added that the cross‑examination of Vijay Mishra and two witnesses has already been completed as part of the trial process.The court initially listed an earlier hearing for March 9 , but this was later adjourned to March 12 for further arguments. On that date, lawyers for both sides are expected to present detailed submissions before the judge.

The case underscores one of several defamation suits Rahul Gandhi has faced over remarks made during political campaigns. Critics say such remarks go beyond political criticism to harm reputations, while Rahul Gandhi and his supporters argue that speaking out on issues is part of democratic contest and political expression.