Summons issued to Rahul Gandhi over 'beggar' remark

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by a judicial magistrate in Chandigarh to present himself in court in connection with a 21-month-old case, in which he had been accused of allegedly hurting sentiments of people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Gandhi is said to have asked the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, at a Congress rally in Phulpur, on 14 November 2011, as to how long they would continue to beg for work from Maharashtra and Punjab. 

Issuing the summons to Gandhi judicial magistrate Jaswinder Singh asked him to appear in court before 19 September.

The petition has been filed by a city-based lawyer who objected to certain "defamatory, derogatory" remarks made by him about the natives of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at an election rally.

According to the petitioner, the statement of the defendant (case Shiv Murti Yadav versus Rahul Gandhi) was clearly defamatory, derogatory and intended to cause irreparable loss to the image, reputation and prestige of the plaintiff and similarly situated persons."

Singh issued 'dasti' summons for 19 September ''to Rahul Gandhi, general secretary, AICC c/o president, AICC, 10 Janpath, New Delhi."

The "dasti summons" had been "forwarded to the Court of CMM, New Delhi, Patiala House, for service and return before the date fixed" as the summons issued earlier on 17 August could not be served.

The summons said, "Whereas the plaintiff/ petitioners has instituted the above case against you, you are hereby summoned to appear in this court in person or through your attorney on 19.9.2013. You are directed to produce on that day documents upon which you intend to rely in support of your defence."

The summons further said, "Take notice that in default of your appearance on the day mentioned before the suit/application/ appeal will be heard, determined in your absence.