Maharashtra: Hearing in defamation case against Rahul Gandhi on May 15

A court at Bhiwandi in Maharashtra has posted a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for hearing on May 15. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh local functionary Rajesh Kunte filed case against Gandhi in 2014 after watching his speech in Thane's Bhiwandi township, where Congress leader alleged that RSS was behind killing of Mahatma Gandhi.

In 2018, Gandhi appeared before magistrate court in Bhiwandi and pleaded t guilty following which charges were framed and case was set for trial. When case was taken up for hearing on Saturday by magistrate J V Paliwal, Gandhi's advocate Narayan Iyer sought exemption from appearance for Congress leader as he could t travel due to COVID-19 restrictions.

court allowed exemption. Kunte's advocate P P Jaywant sought an adjournment, citing a petition filed in Bombay High Court in this case pertaining to allowing certain documents to be presented as evidence in trial. Magistrate Paliwal, however, ted that HC has t ordered for a stay on proceedings before lower court. Jaywant urged for an adjournment, which court allowed. court posted matter for hearing on May 15, and complainant's statement is also likely to be recorded that day.