As it happened: Rahul Gandhi gets bail in defamation case

A magistrate’s court in Bhiwandi granted bail to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case on Wednesday.

A magistrate’s court in Bhiwandi granted bail to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case on Wednesday. The case was filed by an RSS (Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh) worker for Gandhi’s remarks blaming the outfit for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

The defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by an RSS worker for Gandhi’s remarks blaming the outfit for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.(ANI on Twitter)

He reached the court in neighbouring Thane at 10:45am. He will leave for Delhi immediately after the court proceedings as the Winter Session starts on Wednesday, said state Congress sources.

The case filed by RSS worker Rajesh Kunte dates back to March 2014 when Rahul in his election speech at Bhiwandi blamed the organisation for its hand in assassination of the father of nation.

Here are the highlights:

11.43am: After addressing workers, Gandhi leaves Sahid Smarak

11.35am: “Is any businessman standing in the queue (outside banks)? Only common people will suffer. Modi will remove money from people’s pockets to favour the rich. We will raise this issue in Parliament. A total of 15 businessmen will benefit from the demonetisation move,” Gandhi says

11.33am: “The Congress will not step back and will fight for the people,” Gandhi says

11.31am: “Taking people’s money, Modi will waive off loans of industrialists in the coming year.”

11.30am: “PM Narendra Modi laughs and even sometimes cries, but he will give people’s money to the rich,” he says

11.28am: “We are talking people to stand straight and be free,” Gandhi says.

11.27am: “I am fighting those who want India to bow, but they do not know the energy of our country,” Gandhi says.

11.26am: Rahul quotes Mahatma Gandhi and says, “Any person who stands upright can’t be enslaved.”

11.24am: Gandhi asks people if they have Rs4,000 and the answer is a resounding ‘no’

11.20am: Gandhi is on the stage and will address Congress workers

11.19am: Gandhi visits Sahid Smarak in Bhiwandi

11.18am: Gandhi steps out of the court

11.15am: Petitioner’s lawyer says if Gandhi apologises the case can be withdrawn

11.14am: Gandhi will appear before the court when required, his lawyer informs the judge

11.13am: Next date of hearing is January 28

11:12am: Congress leader Shivraj Patil gives surety

11.11am: Gandhi granted bail

11.10am: Traffic snarls reported on Bhiwandi flyover

11.08am: Court proceedings have started in the defamation case

10.48am: Court proceedings to begin shortly

10.47am: Congress workers come out in large numbers to rally behind Gandhi

Congress workers at the court on Wednesday. (Praful Gangurde)

10.37am: Ashok Chavan and Sanjay Nirupam are with Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi along with Ashok Chavan arrives at Bhiwandi court on Wednesday. (Praful Gangurde)

10.35am: Congress supporters raise slogans

10.34am: Rahul Gandhi reaches Bhiwandi court

10.15am: The entry of vehicles has been barred

10.07am: Narayan Iyer says they will furnish surety before court today

10.05am: Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer Nayaran Iyer says the truth will prevail

10am: The police are using public announcement system around the court premises to ensure easy of traffic

9am: The police say all necessary security arrangements are in place