Sambhal court fixes Oct 28 as next hearing date in case against Rahul

Sambhal (UP), Sep 26 (PTI) A court here on Friday fixed October 28 as the next date of hearing in a case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks made during the inauguration of the AICC office earlier this year.

The matter came up before Additional District Judge Aarti Fouzdar at the Chandausi district court. The case, filed by national president of Hindu Shakti Dal Simran Gupta, was earlier listed for September 26 after multiple adjournments since May.

Gupta told PTI that on January 15, while inaugurating the Congress headquarters Indira Bhavan, Gandhi had remarked that "our fight is not with the BJP or the RSS, but with the Indian state".

Gupta claimed that the statement hurt public sentiments across the country.

"After my complaints to the district magistrate, SP Sambhal, and other authorities went unheard, I filed a case in the Chandousi court on January 23," Gupta said.

The court has since heard the matter on May 7, June 16, July 18 and August 25 before Friday's date was adjourned to October 28.

Advocate Sachin Gupta, appearing for the complainant, said, "Rahul Gandhi's counsel, Sagir Saifi, filed a reply today (Friday) to our revision petition. We will file a counter to that. The court has fixed October 28 for further proceedings, which may also include arguments depending on the judge's direction." Senior advocate Saifi, representing Gandhi, told reporters that the defence had filed its objections on Friday.

"The complainant has sought time to respond. The court has now listed the case for October 28, after which arguments may take place," he said. PTI COR KIS ZMN