The Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) has rejected the plea filed by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. He had challenged a summoning order issued by a Lucknow Court in a defamation case related to his alleged comments on the Indian Army during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022.
The case was heard by Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, who dismissed Gandhi’s petition. Gandhi had approached the High Court contesting the defamation case and the summoning order issued in February 2025 by the MP-MLA Court in Lucknow.
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"The summoning order passed by the lower court stands valid and requires no interference," said the Court.
The defamation complaint was filed by Uday Shankar Srivastava, the former Director of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). According to the complaint, Gandhi made objectionable statements on December 16, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. These comments were linked to the India-China army clash that took place on December 9, 2022.
“Such statements hurt the image and reputation of the Indian Army and spread misleading information,” alleged the complainant.
Srivastava claimed that Gandhi’s remarks were defamatory, specifically towards the Indian armed forces, and had a negative impact on public perception.
In court, Rahul Gandhi was represented by Advocates Pranshu Agrawal, Mohd Yasir Abbasi, and Mohammed Samar Ansari.
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The case has been officially titled "Rahul Gandhi vs. State of U.P. Thru. Addl. Chief Secy. Home Distt. Lko. and Another."
"Public figures must exercise caution while making statements that can influence national security matters," highlighted the petitioner.
The High Court found no legal basis to interfere with the summons issued by the lower court and allowed the legal proceedings to continue.
