A Bengaluru court has directed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to personally appear before it on June 7 "without fail" in connection with a defamation case filed against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

During the hearing on Saturday, Gandhi's counsel requested an exemption from his appearance due to his participation in an INDIA alliance meeting.

Allowing the exemption, the court directed that the Congress leader remain present on June 7.

The defamation case was filed by BJP leader Keshav Prasad against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, regarding "objectionable" advertisements and campaigning slogans by Congress ahead of the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.

In the advertisements, Congress had alleged that the BJP, which was then in power in the state, was charging up to 40 percent commission or bribes from contractors and others for executing public works.

BJP in its complaint has accused Congress leaders of spreading false advertisements targeting its party members including the then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

On Saturday, the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate granted bail to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar in the same case with bail bonds of Rs. 5,000 each.

Since Gandhi failed to appear, his plea would be heard on June 7.