Sultanpur, 26 June (HS): An MP-MLA court here on Wednesday summoned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on July 2 in a defamation case brought against him for allegedly making derogatory statements against union Home Minister Amit Shah. According to complaint lawyer Santosh Kumar Pandey, one Ram Pratap sought that he be declared a party in the lawsuit. In response to the petition, Pandey stated that Pratap is neither a victim nor has any involvement in the case.

Gandhi's lawyer, Kashi Prasad Shukla, who was present in court, also contested the petitioner's argument. However, the court disregarded Gandhi's request and ordered his personal attendance on the next hearing date.

Gandhi was sued for defamation in 2018 after allegedly making offensive statements against Shah. BJP leader Vijay Mishra filed a defamation complaint against Gandhi. Gandhi interrupted his "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra" at Amethi on February 20 of this year and appeared in court, where he was granted bail.