Karnataka High Court stays defamation case against Rahul Gandhi
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed proceedings in a defamation case filed by the BJP against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over allegations of corruption during the BJP government’s tenure in the state.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna issued the stay while hearing Rahul Gandhi’s plea to quash the case. The court also issued a notice to the BJP, seeking its response to the petition.
The case was filed in May 2023 by BJP leader S. Keshava Prasad against Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The complaint pertained to allegations made by the Congress during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election campaign, accusing the BJP government of taking a 40% commission from contractors for awarding work contracts during its tenure from 2019 to 2023. The BJP claimed these accusations were baseless and defamatory, targeting then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other party leaders.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for February 20.
Earlier, on June 7, 2023, a Bengaluru trial court had granted bail to Rahul Gandhi in the case. He had appeared before the court on June 7, 2023, in response to summons issued on June 1, 2023, with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar also attending the same hearing. Both leaders were granted bail on the same day.
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Delhi's air quality 'very poor' in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Thick grey haze shrouded Delhi on Monday morning, with the air quality remaining in the 'very poor' category with a reading of 366, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The Air Quality Index (AQI) at seven air quality monitoring stations was 'severe', with Narela logging the highest reading at 418.
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According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.
Delhi's air quality is likely to remain 'very poor' for the next three days. It is expected to oscillate between 'very poor' and 'severe' categories during the subsequent six days, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS).
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the current average wind speed, which is less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants.
Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees Celsius, it said.
