Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday cited personal reasons for seeking exemption from appearance in a Bhiwandi court in Thane district. Mr. Gandhi said he was on leave from Parliament too.
Mr. Gandhi is facing a case of defamation filed against him by an RSS office-bearer from Bhiwandi.
Mr. Gandhi had, during an election rally in March last year, allegedly blamed the RSS for Mahatma Gandhi’s murder.
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“His lawyer made an application before the court today [Monday]. We opposed it, but the court granted him exemption,” complainant Rajesh Kunte told
He said Mr. Gandhi’s lawyer gave an undertaking stating that the leader will be present in court on or before May 8.
Mr. Gandhi had, a few days ago, approached the Bombay High Court seeking quashing of proceedings against him in the case.
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He had said his statement had no ulterior motive, and that the complaint against him was motivated and malafide.
But the Bombay High Court had refused to grant him relief. It had directed him to appear before the Bhiwandi court.