Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who appeared before a court in Guwahati on Thursday, was granted bail in a criminal defamation case filed against him by an RSS volunteer.
The court of the chief judicial magistrate (Kamrup), which had summoned him, granted bail on a PR bond of Rs 50,000, fixing November 5 as the next date of hearing.
“We had filed a bail application but as Rahul Gandhi appeared in person, the court allowed him to go on a PR bond. The next date of hearing is fixed for November 5,” Mr Gandhi’s advocate said.
The complainant in the case is RSS Vibhag Sanchalak Anjan Bora, counsel Bijon Mahajan said, adding, “We did not oppose the bail as per the complainant’s advice.”
Mr Gandhi has to be present personally again on November 5 when the court will explain to him his offence.
The complainant had filed a criminal defamation case against Mr Gandhi that he had brought down the RSS’ image by saying he was not allowed by RSS members to enter Barpeta Satra, a 16th century Vaishnavite monastery, in Assam on December 12, 2015.
Mr Bora claimed that Mr Gandhi was schedule to go to the Satra on December 12, 2015, but he did not go, and instead took part in a padyatra.
Two days later on December 14, Mr Gandhi told at a press conference in Delhi that he tried to enter the Satra but was prevented from doing so by its elected members and RSS supporters, Mr Bora stated.
Claiming the Congress leader’s assertion a “blatant lie”, Mr Bora filed a criminal defamation case on December 12, 2015, saying Mr Gandhi never visited the site in question.
The CJM court also examined seven witnesses before issuing notice to Mr Gandhi.
