On a recent morning, the Purvanchal Expressway in Sultanpur district became the backdrop for an unexpected chain of collisions. A private vehicle ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s convoy braked abruptly near the 89.5‑kilometre milestone, setting off a domino effect that would involve five of the leader’s cars and an ambulance.
The convoy, composed of five vehicles, was traveling from Lucknow to Sultanpur. The sudden stop caused the vehicles to collide with one another, and the ambulance that had been following the convoy was also caught in the melee.
Security personnel, party functionaries, and Congress workers were among those injured in the crash. While the extent of the injuries varied, the incident prompted an emergency response that included medical teams and police from the Haliapur station.
The remarks that sparked the lawsuit were made during a press conference in 2018.
Despite the chaos, Rahul Gandhi’s car remained unharmed, and the leader himself was uninjured. He continued on his way to the Sultanpur court, where a special MP‑MLA hearing was scheduled to address a defamation case stemming from remarks he made about Amit Shah in 2018.
#LIVE | Rahul Gandhi acquitted by UP court in 2018 defamation case. Watch this and more | #ITLivestream @anjalipandey06 https://t.co/4Mk8Uos3xZ
The defamation case, which has been a point of contention for years, is set to reach a verdict at a later date. Legal proceedings have continued since the original remarks, culminating in the current court hearing. His appearance in person is deemed necessary for the pronouncement of the judgment, according to court officials.
The remarks that sparked the lawsuit were made during a press conference in 2018. The legal proceedings have continued to simmer over the years, culminating in the current court hearing.
#WATCH | Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Advocate representing Rahul Gandhi Kashi Prasad Shukla says, "Rahul Gandhi has been acquitted in this case. The court determined that the complainant, Vijay Mishra did not qualify as an aggrieved person. Since we have not yet been able to review the full text of the judgment, we are currently expressing our happiness over the fact that Rahul Gandhi has been acquitted. As for the specific reasoning or the grounds upon which the case was dismissed, we cannot provide full details until we have the complete judgment..."
Police from the Haliapur station are still assessing the full extent of vehicle damage and injuries. The incident has drawn attention to road safety on the expressway, especially for high‑profile convoys. While the leader’s safety was assured, the event has added another layer of complexity to an already contentious legal battle.
The convoy’s collision has not deterred Rahul Gandhi’s commitment to the court hearing. As the verdict approaches, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of political life on the road. The leader remains safe, the court awaits, and the expressway has once again become a stage for a dramatic chapter in India’s political narrative.