Congress President Rahul Gandhi will face trial in a defamation case filed against him by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker after a magistrate court here today framed charges against him.
Gandhi pleaded not guilty in the case.
The 47-year-old Congress leader arrived at the magistrate's court in Bhiwandi at 11.05 am amid heavy security cover and was greeted by people raising slogans in his support.
Gandhi appeared before civil judge A I Sheikh, who read out the charges levelled against him and also the statement of the complainant Rajesh Kunte.
"As per the charge, you (Gandhi) on March 6, 2014 in a rally held for elections at Bhiwandi, Thane defamed the organisation to which the complainant belongs," the judge said while reading out the charge.
"Your speech, which was telecast on channels and also published in newspapers, damaged the reputation of the complainant and his organisation and you thereby committed an offence under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," he said.
The judge then asked Gandhi, "Do you accept the charges?"
To this, Gandhi replied, "I plead not guilty."
After the court proceedings got over, Kunte said, "I have full faith in the court and I am sure justice will be delivered."
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