‘Truth Will Prevail’: Congress Welcomes Rahul Gandhi’s Acquittal in 2018 Defamation Case

A special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, acquitted Gandhi in the case, prompting reactions from Congress leaders and other Opposition figures. The complainant, Vijay Mishra, meanwhile, said he would examine the judgment before deciding whether to appeal.

Congress leader Aradhana Misra Mona said the party had always maintained its faith in the judicial system and that the verdict had reinforced that confidence.

“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 Leaders Welcome Court Verdict

Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh also welcomed the decision, invoking the Constitution and alleging that legal cases were being used to put pressure on Opposition leaders.

He claimed that proceedings against Gandhi were intended to disrupt his political work and efforts to defend constitutional values. Boudh also expressed confidence that other cases against Opposition leaders would meet a similar outcome.

“Truth will certainly prevail,” he said, adding that the Congress would continue its efforts to promote brotherhood and what it describes as a “shop of love”.

Boudh also referred to protests held in Delhi, arguing that the absence of violence during those demonstrations reflected the party’s commitment to constitutional principles.

Congress MLC Deepak Singh similarly welcomed Gandhi’s acquittal, alleging that the BJP had repeatedly sought to harass the Congress leader through fabricated cases. He said the party would continue raising questions about what it considers double standards in the BJP’s approach to public issues, including the handling of the Sangeeta Bhandari murder case.

Samajwadi Party Leader Criticises Political Climate

Samajwadi Party leader S.T. Hasan also welcomed the verdict, arguing that the use of legal proceedings against political opponents reflected a deterioration in political discourse.

Hasan said political disagreements had increasingly become personal disputes, contrasting the present situation with what he described as an earlier period when differences of opinion did not necessarily lead to personal hostility.

He said the court had delivered justice by distinguishing between truth and falsehood.

Complainant Considering Appeal

Vijay Mishra, who filed the defamation complaint against Gandhi in 2018, said he would study the judgment with his advocate after obtaining a certified copy.

Mishra said he would seek legal advice before approaching an appellate court to challenge the acquittal.

The case stemmed from alleged remarks made by Gandhi about Shah, who was the Bharatiya Janata Party president at the time. Mishra had claimed that the remarks were defamatory.

The proposed appeal, if filed, would take the matter to the next stage of legal scrutiny. For now, the special MP-MLA court’s acquittal marks the latest development in a case that has continued since 2018.