Prayagraj, September 2025- Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has filed a revision petition in the Allahabad High Court. He challenges a Varanasi MP‑MLA court’s direction to a magistrate to re-hear a plea seeking FIR registration over his alleged remarks on the Sikh community during a US visit in September 2024.
The original plea was filed by Varanasi resident Nageshwar Mishra. In November 2024, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court dismissed the application for FIR registration. The court ruled it lacked jurisdiction to act on a speech delivered abroad.
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However, in July 2025, the MP‑MLA court set aside that dismissal. The sessions judge directed the ACJM to rehear the plea in light of Supreme Court precedents and issue a fresh order.
Gandhi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate Gopal Chaturvedi, argues the Varanasi court’s order is “wrong, illegal and without jurisdiction.” They also requested a stay while the matter is before the High Court.
In court, Chaturvedi emphasized:
“What I said before this, what I said after this, is not mentioned... Based on 25 words, mens rea can’t be seen... Unless the entire speech is before the court, the intention cannot be attributed”.
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Representing the Uttar Pradesh government, Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal countered that the magistrate must be empowered to apply independent judgment, and determine if prima facie a cognizable offence exists. He further noted Gandhi’s role as Leader of the Opposition, adding:
“His voice is the voice of the opposition. The opposition has this view regarding the rights of minorities in the country, and this is what they are projecting on foreign soil”
Justice Sameer Jain heard arguments on September 3, 2025, and reserved judgment. The court expects the magistrate to await the High Court’s decision before proceeding further.
Case: Rahul Gandhi vs. State of Uttar Pradesh & Others
Petitioner: Rahul Gandhi (Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha)
Respondent: State of Uttar Pradesh, Nageshwar Mishra (complainant)
