'Cheap publicity', says Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, after he appeared before an MP-MLA court, today, in a defamation case filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra. Gandhi rejected claims of giving any statement for anyone which could lead to a defamation case, said his lawyer Kashi Prasad Shukla, in conversation with the media.
The next hearing of the case is scheduled for August 12. The petitioner's statement will then be recorded. Sources said Gandhi need not appear in the court on that date.
The case was filed against the Congress leader on August 4, 2018, accusing Gandhi of making objectionable statements against the then Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah.
Advocate Santosh Kumar Pandey, representing Mishra, said Gandhi recorded his statement before the judge and the evidence will be presented on August 12.
This is not the first time Gandhi has appeared in court for this case. He had previously appeared on February 20, when he was granted bail. On Friday, a large number of Congress workers gathered outside the court, and the premises were heavily secured.