Rahul Gandhi acquitted in 2018 defamation case over remarks against Amit Shah

Visuals of the vehicles involved in the collision on the Purvanchal Expressway on October 26, 2026. Photo: X/@PTI_News

At least four vehicles and an ambulance, part of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s convoym collided under Haliapur police station area of ​​Sultanpur district at Purvanchal Expressway on Monday (October 26, 2026).

VIDEO | Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's convoy involved in a minor collision on the Purvanchal Expressway; the Congress leader is safe and no one was seriously injured. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd) #RahulGandhi

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 26, 2026

Party workers, officials, and several security personnel were injured in the collision. It is reported that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is safe.

Mr. Gandhi was on his way to Sultanpur for a court hearing after he landed in Lucknow on Monday (October 26, 2026) morning. Hundreds of Congress workers and local party leaders gathered at the airport to welcome the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Raebareli MP.

Mr. Gandhi is set to appear before a special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur, which is set to pronounce its verdict in a defamation case against him today (October 26, 2026).

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi being greeted by Congress supporters upon his arrival at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, in Lucknow, on October 26, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

Mr. Gandhi did not speak to reporters before leaving for Sultanpur.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’ told PTI Videos, "We have complete faith in the judiciary. Rahul Gandhi ji is going to Sultanpur for that case only."

Security arrangements have been strengthened in Sultanpur, particularly around the court complex, in view of the proceedings, police officials said.

The case relates to alleged objectionable remarks made by Mr. Gandhi against then BJP president Amit Shah at a rally in Bengaluru ahead of the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections.

Local BJP politician Vijay Mishra, a former chairman of the District Cooperative Bank in Sultanpur, filed the defamation complaint against Gandhi on August 4, 2018.

Mr. Gandhi appeared before the court in 2023 and secured bail. The court had earlier fixed October 13 for pronouncing its verdict, which was subsequently scheduled for October 26.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published - October 26, 2026 10:57 am IST