Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a senior Congress leader, appears headed for major relief in an old defamation case. In the matter filed by Kartikeya Singh Chouhan, Rahul Gandhi had expressed regret, and Kartikeya has now accepted his apology in the Madhya Pradesh High Court. After hearing both sides, the court has reserved its decision for now.
Kartikeya has made it clear that if Rahul Gandhi took his name out of confusion, he has no objection to it. That is why a settlement between the two sides is now being seen as likely in the near future.
Rahul's written application in the High Court
Rahul Gandhi had submitted a written application in the Madhya Pradesh High Court expressing his regret. He stated plainly that during the speech he had intended to name someone else, but by mistake the name of Kartikeya Singh Chouhan slipped out. In other words, the statement was made due to a misunderstanding.
What happened in today's hearing
In the hearing held today, a written response was presented in the High Court on behalf of Kartikeya Chouhan. In it, he accepted Rahul Gandhi's apology. He also requested the court to close the case and did not register any objection.
Where the dispute began
The matter dates back to 2018, when Rahul Gandhi named Kartikeya Chouhan at a public meeting in Jhabua in connection with the Panama Papers leak. Following this, Kartikeya filed a defamation suit in the MP MLA court. Rahul Gandhi was sent several summonses to appear in person in this case. He later challenged those summonses in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, and it was here, after he expressed regret, that Kartikeya sought to have the case closed.
What the lawyer said
Kartikeya Chouhan's lawyer, Sankalp Kochar, said Rahul Gandhi has accepted that the mistake happened due to a misunderstanding. Kartikeya Singh has accepted this, and both sides have now agreed to close the case. For now, the court's order is reserved and a decision will come later.
