Rahul Gandhi summoned by court for calling PM Modi "Commander-in-thief"
What's the story
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who leveled corruption allegations on BJP over the Rafale deal, has found himself in the middle of yet another legal soup. The Gandhi scion has been summoned by a Mumbai court for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "Commander-in-thief". On August 28, the Girgaum metropolitan magistrate asked Rahul to appear in person or through his lawyer on October 3.
Case
A comment of September 2018 landed Rahul in trouble
Rahul was dragged to the court by Mahesh Shrishrimal, a 43-year-old BJP worker. He raised an objection at a tweet dated September 24, 2018, in which Rahul slammed PM Modi. Shrishrimal handed over CDs of Rahul's speeches and clippings of media reports, which were published after he made the remark. Rahul hurt PM Modi's followers with the distasteful comments, Shrishrimal said in his plea.
Quote
Your attendance is necessary: Court told Rahul
"To, Rahul Rajiv Gandhi, your attendance is necessary to a charge under Section 500 of the IPC. You are hereby directed to appear in person (or by a pleader) before the court on October 3, 2019," read the summon.
Allegations
Rahul kept talking about Rafale during polls, voters rejected narrative
Rahul was at the helm of Congress during summer polls and resigned after his party won merely 52 seats. The 49-year-old leader rooted his campaign on Rafale deal, but that clearly didn't strike a chord with voters. To note, India signed an inter-governmental deal with France for 36 fighter Rafale jets at around Rs. 58,000 crore. Rahul claimed the deal was soaked in corruption.
Apology
For giving political color to SC's order, Rahul had apologized
Evidently, this is hardly the first occasion when Rahul's comment on Rafale landed him in trouble. At a rally, he misquoted a Supreme Court order pertaining to the deal and said even the top judiciary body agreed with him that Chowkidar Chor Hai. The top court slammed him for using their judgment for political gains forcing Rahul to tender an unconditional apology.
Cases
Meanwhile, Rahul has two other cases against him
Meanwhile, there are two other cases filed against Rahul. A case has been filed against him in Bhiwandi in Thane district for allegedly blaming RSS for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. He also faces another case in Mumbai for linking the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh to BJP-RSS ideology. In July this year, Rahul pleaded not guilty in the second defamation suit.