The complaint claimed that the accused made frivolous, baseless, and unreasonable claims against the complainant party in an advertisement published in all publications on May 5, 2023.

Digital Desk: A special court in Bengaluru has summoned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in connection with a defamation case.

According to reports, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state secretary Keshava Prasad filed the case against the leaders on May 9 for publishing an advertisement claiming the then-incumbent BJP "looted" Rs 1.5 lakh crores from the state and extracted a 40% commission on government contracts.

The complaint claimed that the accused made frivolous, baseless, and unreasonable claims against the complainant party in an advertisement published in all publications on May 5, 2023.

"The statements made in the newspaper publications on the first page of all of the aforementioned newspapers are purely imaginary and fictitious," the complainant added.