A local court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has officially acquitted Rahul Gandhi, the prominent leader of the Indian National Congress, in a defamation case dating back to 2018. The legal battle stemmed from a complaint filed by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member, who alleged that Gandhi had defamed the then-party president and current Home Minister, Amit Shah, by referring to him as a "murder accused" during a campaign speech. The verdict was delivered while Gandhi was present in the courtroom, prompting celebratory scenes from his supporters outside, who marked the occasion with drums, fireworks, and flags.

This legal victory serves as a notable development for the Congress leader, who is currently spearheading a collective opposition effort against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. The case had been a point of tension for some time, particularly following his separate conviction in 2023 regarding a "Modi surname" remark—an incident that had previously resulted in his temporary disqualification from parliament. With this latest ruling, Gandhi clears another hurdle in a complex legal landscape, providing him with more momentum as he continues his broader political campaign against the ruling government.