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Rahul Gandhi was reported safe after a collision involving vehicles in his convoy on the Purvanchal Expressway. (Img: X)
Lucknow: Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi escaped unhurt after multiple vehicles in his convoy collided on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, while he was travelling from Lucknow to Sultanpur. Preliminary reports said five vehicles and an ambulance were involved in the collision, with several Congress workers reportedly injured. Gandhi was heading to a special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur for the verdict in a 2018 criminal defamation case linked to his remarks about BJP leader Amit Shah.
A road accident involving vehicles in Rahul Gandhi’s convoy disrupted his journey to Sultanpur, as the Congress leader travelled to attend a crucial court proceeding. The collision occurred on the Purvanchal Expressway after Gandhi arrived in Lucknow from Delhi and continued his journey by road.
According to preliminary information, five vehicles and an ambulance were involved in the accident. Several Congress workers were reported injured, although a detailed official account of the injuries and the condition of those affected was awaited. Gandhi was reported to be safe following the incident.
The accident occurred on a day of considerable political and legal significance for the Congress leader, who was scheduled to appear before a special MP/MLA court in Sultanpur for the pronouncement of judgment in a criminal defamation case dating back to 2018.
The collision took place on the Purvanchal Expressway while Gandhi’s convoy was travelling towards Sultanpur from Lucknow. Initial reports indicated that multiple vehicles in the convoy struck one another, involving five vehicles and an ambulance.
The incident reportedly left several Congress workers injured. However, the exact number of people injured, the severity of their injuries and the circumstances that triggered the chain collision had not been conclusively established in the information available.
Gandhi was reported safe, while further details about the injured and the response following the collision were awaited.
The accident drew attention because it occurred during the Congress leader’s journey to a court hearing that could have significant legal and political implications. His scheduled appearance in Sultanpur had already placed the case under close scrutiny.
Gandhi was travelling to Sultanpur to attend proceedings in a criminal defamation case arising from remarks he allegedly made about Amit Shah, who was the BJP’s national president at the time of the incident in 2018.
According to Rahul Gandhi’s counsel, Santosh Kumar Pandey, the matter originated in May 2018, when Gandhi allegedly made objectionable remarks about Shah during a press conference in Bengaluru. The remarks reportedly referred to Shah in connection with a murder case.
Vijay Mishra, who was then chairman of the local District Cooperative Bank and had also served as a BJP vice-president in the district, subsequently filed a formal complaint.
Pandey said the court found prima facie grounds to summon Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with the punishment for defamation. The matter proceeded to trial, during which the complainant’s side examined three witnesses to support its case.
Following arguments from both sides, the court scheduled October 26 for the pronouncement of judgment. Gandhi’s personal presence was required for the proceedings, according to his counsel.
The case concerns alleged criminal defamation, and the outcome rests on the evidence and legal arguments presented before the court.
Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code prescribes simple imprisonment for a term of up to two years, a fine, or both for the offence of defamation. The nature of any punishment, if imposed, would be determined by the court in accordance with the law and the circumstances of the case.
Pandey said the court would decide whether Gandhi should be acquitted or held liable after considering the evidence and arguments. He also explained that, in the event of an acquittal, the complainant would have the option of challenging the decision before a higher court.
The procedural requirements relating to Gandhi’s presence and the furnishing of a bail bond or personal bond were also cited by his counsel in explaining why the Congress leader needed to attend the proceedings personally.
The final outcome was expected to determine the immediate legal position in a case that has remained pending since the complaint was filed in 2018. Any further challenge would depend on the judgment and the legal remedies available to the parties.
The accident involving Gandhi’s convoy added an unexpected development to a day already marked by heightened attention around the Sultanpur court proceedings. Congress workers were accompanying the leader during his journey, and reports of injuries among those travelling in the convoy emerged as he headed to the court.
The case has attracted political interest because it relates to remarks about Amit Shah, a senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister. However, the court’s decision will be based on the evidence and applicable legal provisions rather than the political significance of the individuals involved.
With Gandhi reported safe after the expressway collision, attention remained focused on the condition of those injured and the court’s judgment in the criminal defamation case. Further details about the accident, the injured persons and the court’s final decision were awaited.
