The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted interim relief to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and exempted him from appearing personally before a Bhiwandi court on Wednesday, in a defamation case.
Last year, while addressing a public rally in Bhiwandi, Mr. Gandhi had allegedly linked ‘RSS people’ to the murder of Mahatma Gandhi. Thereafter, Rajesh Kunte, a functionary of RSS’s Bhiwandi unit, had filed a criminal complaint against Mr. Gandhi, seeking action against him.
The matter has come up for hearing in the Bhiwandi court, prompting Mr. Gandhi to approach the Bombay High Court and seek exemption from appearing.
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On Tuesday, while hearing the matter, Justice M.L. Tahaliyani posted it for the next hearing on February 17. Meanwhile, Mr. Gandhi’s lawyer R.S. Cheema, said the Bhiwandi court was slated to hear the matter on Wednesday. He requested the court to grant Mr. Gandhi interim relief on Wednesday from personal appearance.
Mr. Gandhi might file a rejoinder, if any, before February 17.