UP court rejects plea seeking Rahul Gandhi's voice sample in defamation case

Sultanpur: A local MP/MLA court on Saturday rejected a plea seeking a voice sample of Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by a BJP functionary against the Congress leader, and posted the matter for next hearing on May 11.

The plea, filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra through his counsel Santosh Kumar Pandey, had sought Gandhi's voice sample for a forensic test to compare it with an audio clip.

Also Read: Is this BJP's 'Nari Vandana'?: Rahul Gandhi over alleged indecent remarks against Geniben Thakor


After the petition was dismissed, Pandey said they would file a revision plea before the sessions court against the order.

The court rejected the plea after hearing the arguments of both sides, including Gandhi's counsel Kashi Prasad Shukla.

The matter dates back to 2018 when Mishra, a local BJP leader, filed a defamation suit over Gandhi's alleged objectionable remarks targeting Amit Shah while campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly elections.

After five years of legal proceedings, the court issued a warrant against Gandhi in December 2023.

The Rae Bareli MP surrendered before the court in February 2024, and was granted bail on two sureties of Rs 25,000 each by a special magistrate.

Also Read: First gas, next fuel: Rahul Gandhi terms Rs 993 commercial LPG hike as 'election bill' in latest jibe at Centre

On July 26 last year, the Congress leader recorded his statement before the court, claiming innocence and calling the case a political conspiracy.

Earlier this year, multiple hearings were postponed due to a strike by lawyers and the ill-health of Gandhi's counsel.