Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday morning made a quick appearance at a trial court in Bhiwandi, despite being granted relief earlier this month by the Supreme Court in a criminal defamation case against him.

The MP made a 15-minute visit to the court in Bhiwandi, 40 km from Mumbai.

“I respect the judiciary…when I make a commitment I fulfill it,” Gandhi said outside the court, making a reference to an undertaking given to the court more than a month ago that he would appear in the matter on May 8. He was later granted a reprieve by the Supreme Court.

A local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office bearer, Rajesh Kunte, had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi in March last year after the latter allegedly blamed the RSS for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi during an election campaign speech in Bhiwandi’s Sonale area. The complainant contended that Gandhi tarnished the reputation of the Sangh through his speech.

Outside the court on Friday, the leader said: “Joh Gandhiji kehte the, ab woh ladai humari hain aur hume us ladai ko jeetna hain.” He did not elaborate. He spoke to gathered journalists for less than a minute and left without taking any questions.

Gandhi arrived in Mumbai on Friday morning, not long after a tweet from his office’s official Twitter handle @OfficeofRG stated: “RG will be in Bhiwandi this morning to honour commitment to the trial court”. For Kunte and even for local police who scurried to make arrangements, that tweet was the only confirmation of his appearance in court.

“Even I was surprised to see Gandhi at court, it was such a last minute thing. I was informed by journalists in Delhi about his trip. I don’t know why he has come despite been given relief from the apex court,” Kunte told The Indian Express.

The Congress Vice President presented himself along with Advocate Narayan Iyer before Magistrate DP Kale and submitted the SC’s stay order. The court adjourned the case until September 30. Gandhi left the Bhiwandi court premises by 11.15 am.

“I’m not sure if Rahul Gandhi will appear in the Bhiwandi court again. It all depends on the decision made by the Supreme Court on July 8, which could affect the status of the next hearing here in Bhiwandi,” Iyer said.

Gandhi has filed a petition in the Supreme Court in which he challenges the constitutional validity of the provisions dealing with criminal defamation.Iyer added that along with Gandhi, politicians of rival parities such as BJP’s Subramanian Swamy and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have also filed similar petitions.

Iyer added that along with Gandhi, politicians of rival parties such as BJP’s Subramanian Swamy and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have also filed similar petitions.

For the local police in Bhiwandi, it was a harrowing morning to ensure bandobast duty on Agra Road, off which the Bhiwandi court is located.

A small crowd of people had gathered outside the court and on the flyover opposite the court building trying to catch a glimpse of Gandhi.

Security restrictions allowed only media persons and advocates inside the premises as the gates remained temporarily closed until Gandhi left. Sniffer dogs were also spotted on the court premises.

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