AHMEDABAD: A local court on Monday ordered an inquiry into defamation complaints against Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala filed by BJP national chief Amit Shah-linked ADC Bank and its chairman Ajay Patel.

The bank and its chairman have sought action under IPC Section 500 (punishment for defamation) against Gandhi and Surejewala for defaming them by claiming they had indulged in Rs 745 crore scam post-demonetisation.

With observation that the complaints prima facie revealed defamation charges, additional chief metropolitan magistrate SK Gadhavi fixed September 17 for inquiry under CrPC section, when the court is likely to record witnesses’ statements.

The complainants took an exception to Surjewala’s press briefing and a statement issued on June 22, when he claimed that currency notes worth Rs 745 crore were deposited in ADC Bank after the Centre took a decision to demonetize high value currency.

