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Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has got a very big and important relief on the judicial front. Allahabad High Court has completely rejected the petition seeking registration of FIR in the case of an alleged controversial statement given by Rahul Gandhi regarding Sikhs and religious freedom. The single bench of Justice Vikram D. Chauhan, while hearing this case, has completely justified the decision of the lower court of Varanasi, in which it had refused to register a case against Rahul Gandhi. The court had already reserved its decision on this petition after hearing the arguments of both the parties, while pronouncing which the High Court completely rejected the petitioner’s application on legal grounds.
#1 Know what was the whole matter and on which statement of Rahul Gandhi there was an uproar?
This entire controversy started with a public speech given by Rahul Gandhi during his visit to America in September 2024. While addressing an event of Indian Community (NRI) in Virginia, Washington DC, Rahul Gandhi had commented on religious freedom in the country and the ideology of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). During his speech, Rahul Gandhi had said that “The real fight in India is whether a Sikh will get the freedom to wear a Kada and a turban or not? Will a Sikh be able to go to a Gurudwara in India fearlessly?” Rahul Gandhi said that this fight is not limited to Sikhs only, but is related to the freedom and existence of all the religions of the country.
#1 The petitioner had made serious allegations, challenged the decision of the lower court
After this statement of Rahul Gandhi came to light, a petition was filed before the lower court by Nageshwar Mishra and others in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The petitioner alleged that such statements by the Leader of the Opposition have tarnished the country’s image on the international stage and have sent a message as if the people of the Sikh community in India do not have religious freedom or are living in an unsafe environment. In the petition, an order was sought to register an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading hatred in the country, creating discord between different communities and disturbing social harmony. However, the concerned Magistrate Court of Varanasi had rejected the petition on the basis of legal facts. After this, the petitioner approached the Allahabad High Court challenging the order of the lower court.
#1 What did Allahabad High Court say while rejecting the petition?
The bench of Justice Vikram D. Chauhan of the High Court gave its final decision after thorough deliberations on the Revision Petition. The High Court clearly acknowledged in its decision that the decision given by the subordinate court of Varanasi to reject the petition was completely legal and justified. The court found that no solid basis or prima facie evidence of crime has been presented in the petition, on the basis of which there would be any justification for registering a criminal case or ordering a police investigation. After the court rejected the petition, now the door for any kind of criminal or police action against Rahul Gandhi in this case has been closed.
#1 Stirring and legal relief in political circles after the verdict
After this important decision of Allahabad High Court, there is a wave of happiness and relief in the Congress camp. Congress leaders say that the Leader of Opposition was talking about inclusive thinking and rights of all sections in the country, which was deliberately distorted by political rivals and the court’s decision has exposed the truth. At the same time, this decision is being considered as a big legal blow for the petitioner side. Legal experts say that this decision given by the High Court makes it clear that the judiciary is adopting a very strict and cautious stance on unnecessary litigation and FIR applications on political statements.