Defamation proceedings against Rahul Gandhi stayed by Karnataka HC

The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party in connection with allegations that the Hindutva party’s government in the state had taken bribes from contractors, Live Law reported.

The Congress was elected to power in the state in 2023, displacing the previous BJP government.

Justice M Nagaprasanna issued the order on a petition filed by Gandhi seeking to quash the case, The Hindu reported. Nagaprasanna also sought a response from the BJP on the petition, Bar and Bench reported.

The complaint in the matter was filed by BJP leader S Keshava Prasad against Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in May 2023. Prasad objected to campaign advertisements and slogans used by the Congress during the Assembly elections that year.

Prasad objected to the Congress’ allegations that the BJP government, which was in power from 2019 to 2023, was charging a 40% commission or bribes from contractors for undertaking public works.

The BJP alleged that the Congress was spreading false claims against its members, including the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

On Friday, Senior Counsel SK Shetty, representing Gandhi, said that the complaint filed by the BJP was misconstrued, Bar and Bench reported. He added that this was the first time that the case was being heard.

The matter was…

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