Remarks against Sikhs: Varanasi court admits case against Rahul Gandhi; petition alleges ‘civil war’ conspiracy

VARANASI: An MP-MLA court in Varanasi on Monday accepted a petition filed against the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi by Nageshwar Mishra, a former village head of Tilmapur Sarnath. He has accused Gandhi of making remarks against the Sikhs during his visit to the United States.

Accepting Mishra’s appeal, special sessions judge (MP-MLA court) Yajurveda Vikram Singh rejected the order of the court of additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM) delivered on Nov 28, 2024. Assistant district govt counsel (ADGC) Vinay Kumar Singh told TOI that the debate on the pending monitoring application in the court concluded, and the court will hear the case regarding Gandhi’s alleged remarks.

Vivek Shankar Tiwari and Alakh Rai presented arguments in the court. The ADGC presented the case as govt counsel. Last Sept, Gandhi made a statement in the US, claiming that the environment in India is not favourable for Sikhs.

Mishra filed a lawsuit in the judicial magistrate (second) court, alleging that this statement was a conspiracy to incite civil war in the country. The ACJM (MP-MLA) court dismissed the case after a hearing. Mishra filed a revision petition in the sessions court against the lower court’s order. During the hearing, Gandhi’s side filed an objection, appealing to the court to dismiss the case. In response, the monitor filed a counter-objection.

Gandhi filed his written response before the MP-MLA court in Varanasi in the revision petition filed by Mishra, who sought registration of an FIR against Gandhi.

Mishra had filed the petition in 2024, claiming that Gandhi made an objectionable statement during his visit to the US by stating that there was an atmosphere of insecurity among Sikhs in India. His petition was dismissed by the court on Nov 28, 2024. Mishra filed an instant revision plea, on which a notice was earlier issued to Gandhi.

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