The Allahabad High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenging a trial court’s summons and criminal complaint over his alleged derogatory remarks against the Indian Army during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in December 2022.

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the Lucknow bench pronounced the order, stating that a detailed judgment would be issued by Monday.

During the hearing, state counsel including Additional Advocate General V.K. Shahi, Government Advocate V.K. Singh, and Additional Government Advocate Anurag Verma contended that Gandhi’s petition was not maintainable in the High Court.

They argued he had an alternative remedy of approaching the sessions court against the summoning order. They further asserted that a prima facie case was evident from the complaint and witness statements.

The complaint was filed by Udai Shanker Srivastava, who alleged that Gandhi made objectionable statements regarding the Indian Army in the context of its clash with Chinese soldiers. The trial court subsequently issued a summons to Gandhi.

Representing Gandhi, advocate Pranshu Agarwal argued that the complaint was politically motivated and appeared fabricated on its face. He also submitted that since Gandhi is not a resident of Lucknow, the trial court ought to have examined the credibility of the allegations more rigorously before summoning him.