#WATCH | Sultanpur, UP: On Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi appearing before a Special MP/MLA Court in Sultanpur for the verdict in a 2018 criminal defamation case, Council for Rahul Gandhi, Santosh Kumar Pandey says, "This matter dates back to May 2018, when, during a press conference in Bengaluru, Rahul Gandhi made objectionable remarks about the then-national president of the BJP, Amit Shah. He referred to him as an accused in a murder case. Aggrieved by this, Vijay Mishra—the then-chairman of the local District Co-operative Bank, who also served as a BJP vice-president for the district—filed a formal complaint. Finding prima facie evidence, the honorable court summoned Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A full trial ensued; we examined three witnesses in court to substantiate the case. Following arguments from both sides, the court has set today as the date for the verdict. The verdict will be announced today, and Rahul Gandhi is required to be personally present. This is necessary for compliance with Section 437 of the CrPC, as he will need to furnish a bail bond and personal recognizance. Furthermore, the presence of the accused is mandatory at the time the judgment is delivered... If, for instance, he is acquitted, the complainant would have the option to appeal to a higher court. Conversely, if the court finds him liable for punishment, Section 500 of the IPC provides for simple imprisonment of up to two years and a fine, or either one of these. It is entirely at the discretion of the court to determine the duration of the imprisonment, the amount of the fine, or whether to acquit him. The judgment will be based on the legal evidence presented..."