Jharkhand Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Rahul Gandhi In 2018 Defamation Case

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is facing fresh legal trouble after a special MP-MLA court in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa issued a non-bailable warrant against him in a defamation case, India Today reported.

The court has directed Gandhi to appear in person on 26 June, rejecting his plea seeking exemption from personal appearance.

The case stems from a comment made by Gandhi during the Congress plenary session in 2018, where he allegedly said that even someone accused of "charges of murder" could become BJP president.

Amit Shah held the post of BJP president at the time.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pratap Katiyar filed the complaint on 9 July 2018, alleging the comment was defamatory and offensive to BJP workers.

Initially filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Chaibasa, the case was later moved to the MP-MLA court in Ranchi following a Jharkhand High Court order in 2020, and then transferred back to MP-MLA court in Chaibasa.

Despite repeated court summons, Gandhi failed to appear, prompting the court to first issue a bailable warrant.

After the Jharkhand High Court disposed of his plea for a stay in March 2024, Gandhi later sought exemption from appearing in person, which the Chaibasa court reportedly denied.

Taking a stricter stance, the court has now issued a non-bailable warrant.

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