A special court in Bengaluru on Saturday directed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear personally before it on June 7 without fail in a defamation case lodged by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s State unit for issuing “defamatory” advertisements in mainstream newspapers.
The advertisement accused the BJP government of indulging in large-scale corruption during its 2019-2023 rule.
Meanwhile, the court granted bail to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D.K. Shivakumar after they appeared before the court on Saturday.
“It is made clear that the Accused No.4 shall appear before this court on next date of hearing without fail. For appearance of Accused No.4 call on 07.06.2024,” the special court directed while exempting Gandhi’s appearance today.
The defamation case was filed by BJP leader Keshav Prasad against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Shivakumar, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, taking objection to the advertisements and campaigning slogans of Congress party during the lead up to the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.
In the ads, the Congress party had alleged that the BJP, which was then in power in the State, was charging up to 40 percent commission/ bribes from contractors and others for execution of public works.
BJP in its complaint has accused Congress leaders of spreading false advertisements targeting its party members including the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
Earlier today, the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate had granted bail to Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar in the matter subject to furnishing bail bonds of ₹5,000 each.
Since Gandhi did not appear, his