Full Breakdown
Rahul Gandhi Acquitted in 2018 Defamation Case as Convoy Collision Occurs on Purvanchal Expressway
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Verdict and Immediate Aftermath
On October 26, 2026, a Special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur acquitted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of the 2018 criminal defamation case concerning his remarks about Amit Shah. The court held that the statements were not defamatory. Gandhi was present in the courtroom and was unharmed.
Later that morning, five vehicles from Gandhi’s convoy collided with an ambulance on the Purvanchal Expressway near Haliyapur, about 100 km from Lucknow. Several party workers and security personnel were injured; Gandhi’s own car was not involved and he continued to Sultanpur after the incident.
Background & Context
BJP leader Vijay Mishra, former chairman of the Sultanpur District Cooperative Bank, filed a criminal defamation complaint under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC on August 4, 2018. The case proceeded for eight years, with the court summoning Gandhi on November 27, 2023, and granting bail after he surrendered on February 20, 2024. Hearings, including a rejected voice-sample application on May 2, 2026, culminated in the October 26 verdict.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 8, 2018 | Gandhi’s remarks in Bengaluru. |
| August 4, 2018 | Complaint filed. |
| November 27, 2023 | Court summons issued. |
| February 20, 2024 | Bail granted. |
| October 6-12, 2026 | Arguments heard. |
| October 26, 2026 | Verdict and convoy collision. |
Data & Statistics
- Vehicles involved: 5 convoy vehicles + 1 ambulance.
- Injuries: Several party workers and police personnel; no major injuries reported.
- Legal provisions: Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC; maximum penalty 2 years imprisonment.
Official Statements & Responses
- Additional Civil Judge Shubham Verma ruled the remarks “not defamatory.”
- Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’, Uttar Pradesh Congress president, expressed “complete faith in the judiciary.”
Criticism & Opposition
- Vijay Mishra (BJP) said the complaint was filed because Gandhi’s remarks “hurt” him and other party workers, describing the statements as “painful” and urging the court to deliver justice.
On-the-Ground Reports
The convoy resumed its journey after the incident.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- NDTV reported “several injured” with “no major injuries,” while The Hindu described the incident as resulting in “no major injuries reported.” No independent casualty count has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This matter dates back to May 2018, when, during a press conference in Bengaluru, Rahul Gandhi made objectionable remarks about the then-national president of the BJP, Amit Shah,” — Kashi Prasad Shukla, advocate
- “A defamation lawsuit related to a remark made in Bengaluru during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections. Judge Shubham Verma of the special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur dismissed the case, granting relief to Rahul Gandhi,” — Kunwar Singh Nishad, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee
- “The remarks were that Amit Shah has been a murder accused. The court has upheld that statement and found it non-defamatory. That is what the remark was. The court has recognised the statement as true, and we welcome the decision.” — Pawan Khera
What’s Next
Uttar Pradesh Police have formed a Special Investigation Team—headed by IG Kiran S., ASP Brij Narayan Singh, and DSP Ram Krishna Chaturvedi—to probe the convoy collision and determine any lapses in security or traffic management. No further legal action has been announced regarding the defamation case.