India

Defamation case against Rahul Gandhi dismissed

A Lucknow court dismisses lawyer’s defamation case against the Congress President for comparing the RSS with Muslim Brotherhood

Photo courtesy: PTI
Photo courtesy: PTI Congress President Rahul Gandhi (file photo)

The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow dismissed a defamation case filed against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for comparing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh with Muslim Brotherhood during his recent London visit.

An advocate Gyanendra Kumar Shrivastava, a self-acknowledged Swayamsevak of the RSS, had filed the petition and claimed that the comparison was malafide and had hurt his sentiments. He had also claimed that he had felt insulted and hence would like the Congress President prosecuted.

Published: 31 Aug 2018, 12:31 PM IST

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Nirbhay Prakash in his brief order observed that the petitioner did not appear to have any locus in the case. In any case, he ruled, anyone was free to draw a comparison between two organisations and there was nothing on record to suggest that such comparison had caused anyone any harm.

Upholding the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution, the court dismissed the petition and said admitting it would infringe upon freedom of speech.

Published: 31 Aug 2018, 12:31 PM IST

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Google News, Instagram 

Join our official telegram channel (@nationalherald) and stay updated with the latest headlines

Published: 31 Aug 2018, 12:31 PM IST