Karnataka High Court Declines Urgent Hearing Of PIL Against Rahul Gandhi Over 'Mass Rape' Remark On Prajwal Revanna

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday refused to hear urgently a public interest litigation filed seeking action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making alleged objectionable comments during a public speech, stating that 'mass rape' had been committed by former Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Aravind refused to issue notice on the petition filed by All India Dalit Action Committee. It said “No urgency, No notice to the respondents to be issued. List the matter for further hearing on October 21.”

It is alleged that speeches were made on May 2 at election rallies held at Shivamogga and Raichur that went to polls on May 7. Counsel for the petitioner argued that Hassan is a small town and households are affected by the hate speech and every household is doubting the other household now.

The PIL sought legal action against Gandhi for his alleged hate speech, resulting in outraging the modesty of women and for showing disrespect to the Constitution.

The petition filed through the National President of the Association, Chi Na Ramu also sought a direction to Gandhi to tender an unconditional apology to the women for said unconstitutional speeches.

Moreover, plea seeks to impose a token costs on Gandhi for gross misuse of public post, breach of public trust, violations of Constitutional provisions, provisions under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, violations of Model Code of Conduct in Parliamentary Election 2024 and violations of provisions of the Representations of the Peoples Act 1951.

Case Title: ALL INDIA DALIT ACTION COMMITTEE ® AND Rahul Gandhi & Others

Case No: WP 20712/2024