In a sensational claim, the Congress had written to Home Ministry claiming a threat to Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s life. To make the case stronger Congress had attached a video of Rahul Gandhi where he was interacting with media and ‘green laser’ light was pointed at his head seven times, including twice on the right side of his temple.
Congress President @RahulGandhi addresses the media on today’s Supreme Court judgement on the Rafale Deal.#ChowkidarChorHai #AbHogaNyay #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/5PnTuUY24d
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 10, 2019
In the above video at around 10 seconds onward, a greenish light can be seen reflected on Rahul Gandhi’s face. In its letter, Congress claimed how Rahul Gandhi’s grandmother and father were both assassinated. Rahul’s father Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated when he was campaigning in Sriperumbudur for the 1991 general elections. Now that Rahul has just filed his nomination from Wayanad and Amethi, Congress believes that the above light reflected on Rahul Gandhi’s face at least seven times was prima facie from a potential weapon such as a sniper gun.
Thankfully despite getting at least seven clear shots, the ‘potential assassin’, as described by Congress, was unsuccessful. Today, however, it turns out the lights reflected on Rahul Gandhi’s face was reportedly a flashlight from AICC photographer.
MHA: Director SPG informed MHA that the “green light” shown in clipping was found to be that of a mobile phone used by AICC photographer, who was video graphing the impromptu press interaction of Rahul Gandhi near the collectorate in Amethi. (2/2) https://t.co/jNDX61Q7Y4
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2019
As per reports, the Ministry of Home Affairs has verified the facts with the SPG and the green light is from a mobile phone of a person present there. No security implication on the said ‘green light’ and no threat to Rahul Gandhi’s life.
In April 2018, Congress had peddled wild conspiracy theories about Rahul’s flight malfunction ahead of Karnataka Assembly elections. Congress party had filed a complaint with the Karnataka police alleging that a private jet carrying Rahul Gandhi from New Delhi to Hubbali had suffered unexplained malfunctioning.
As per Rahul’s aide Kaushal K Vidyarthee who was travelling with him, the plane suddenly had a heavy tilt accompanied with a steep drop in altitude. He also alleged that the plane was shuddering violently, with the autopilot too not functioning. The plane finally managed to safely land in Hubbali at about 11:35 AM on Thursday.
Going by Vidyarthee’s description, the ordeal was indeed shocking and it was relieving to note that everyone on board was safe. The complaint though didn’t stop at making objective observations, but also decided to plunge into the realm of conspiracy theories.
The complaint had alleged that the “suspicious and faulty performance of the aircraft” meant that “serious questions relating to intentional tampering” needed to be investigated. After again adding the angle of “intentional tampering”, the complaint had raised serious questions over aviation safety.
Vidyarthee though didn’t stop at that and used this as an opportunity to praise Rahul by claiming that while the plane was in a free-fall, the Congress President managed to calmly stand beside the airline pilots to “save the situation”. Even Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made a similar claim about Rahul’s calmness.
An investigation carried out by intelligence agencies had rejected the conspiracy theories of sabotaging Rahul Gandhi’s flight. A discreet enquiry into supposed malfunction of a flight ferrying Congress President Rahul Gandhi had revealed that there was no foul play or criminal conspiracy, in the matter.
