Bhiwandi

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday appeared before the Bhiwandi Additional Sessions Court in connection with a defamation case filed against him in 2014 by a local worker of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Gandhi submitted new bail sureties following the demise of former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who had earlier stood as his surety in the case.

Speaking to reporters, Gandhi’s lawyer Narayan Iyer said the matter pertains to a defamation complaint filed by an RSS worker from Bhiwandi. He explained that fresh sureties were required due to Patil’s passing and added that Gandhi, along with Harshwardhan Sapkal, was present in court to complete the legal formalities.

Iyer said the Congress leader has full faith in the judicial process and is committed to pursuing the case. “We will present our evidence at the appropriate time. The court has scheduled the next hearing in March,” he added.

After Gandhi’s arrival in Mumbai, Sapkal said the Congress MP was following due legal process and alleged that he was being targeted for speaking out against the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress leaders Aslam Sheikh and Arif Naseem Khan also described the case as political harassment, asserting that neither Gandhi nor the party would be deterred.

READ MORE: Assam's Taekwondo wonderkid Omar Faruk fought disability

The case was filed by RSS functionary Rajesh Kunte over Gandhi’s alleged remark at an election rally on March 6, 2014, claiming the organisation was responsible for the killing of Mahatma Gandhi. In September 2016, Rahul Gandhi withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court challenging the proceedings and expressed his willingness to face trial.