Bengaluru: A special court in Bengaluru granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday in connection with a defamation case filed by the Karnataka BJP unit. The bail, secured on the surety of Congress leader DK Suresh, provides a temporary relief for Gandhi amid ongoing legal battles.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 30, allowing both parties additional time for legal preparations and proceedings.
The defamation case stems from allegations made by the Karnataka BJP unit regarding advertisements in local newspapers and purported false campaigning by the Congress party leading up to the 2023 state assembly elections. BJP representatives claimed that these actions tarnished the party’s image and sought legal recourse.
The case named several prominent figures within the Congress party, including Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Earlier, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were granted bail after appearing before the court on June 1.
Reacting to the developments, Shivakumar denounced the allegations, labeling the defamation case as “bogus.” In a statement to ANI, he emphasized the political nature of the accusations, alleging that the BJP orchestrated a false case against him, Siddaramaiah, and Rahul Gandhi.
The legal proceedings highlight the ongoing political tensions in Karnataka, where both the BJP and Congress are actively engaged in legal battles and political maneuvers. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how it will impact the political landscape in the state and the broader discourse on defamation and political campaigning.
