A notice issued to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a defamation suit linked to his remarks over the 2020 Hathras rape case has been served, the complainant’s lawyer said on Tuesday.
What Happened
The notice was issued by Additional District Judge of the MP/MLA Court No 5, Vijay Kumar Dwivedi, after hearing a revision petition on July 15. The court has fixed the next date of hearing on September 19. On Tuesday’s hearing, the court was informed that the notice was duly served and was received by Gandhi, the complainant’s counsel Munna Singh Pundhir said.
People Involved
Gandhi, on his visit to Boolgarhi village on December 12, 2024, allegedly stated that the accused were “roaming free” while the victim’s family remained confined to their home, according to Pundhir.
Investigation and Response
Pundhir, who represents Ravi, Ram Kumar alias Ramu and Lav Kush — three men acquitted of rape charges in the Boolgarhi case — said that an Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) of the MP/MLA Court had dismissed the complaint against Gandhi on May 13. Challenging the order, the complainants filed a revision petition, which the Additional District Judge admitted for hearing on July 15. Pundhir claimed the remarks were defamatory as the three men had been acquitted of rape charges following a CBI investigation and a trial that lasted over two-and-a-half years.
