Published on: 25th May, 2025 18:30 IST
The MP-MLA Special Court in Chaibasa has issued a non-bailable warrant against senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a 2018 defamation case. The court has directed him to appear in person on June 26.
The case pertains to alleged defamatory remarks made by Gandhi during a Congress party event in 2018, where he is accused of making disparaging comments about then-BJP National President Amit Shah.
According to the complaint lodged by Pratap Katiyar, a resident of Chaibasa, Gandhi allegedly stated, “No murderer can become the National President in Congress. Congressmen cannot accept a murderer as the National President — this is possible only in the BJP.” The complainant perceived this as a direct attack on Amit Shah and filed the case on July 9, 2018.
Initially, in April 2022, the Chaibasa court issued a bailable warrant after receiving no response from Gandhi. With continued non-compliance, the court escalated the matter and issued a non-bailable warrant in February 2024. A plea from Gandhi’s legal team seeking exemption from personal appearance was subsequently rejected by the court.
Following this, Gandhi moved the Jharkhand High Court, which granted interim relief by staying the warrant for several months. However, in March 2024, the High Court disposed of the petition, allowing the trial to resume at the lower court. Upon the resumption of proceedings, another request by Gandhi’s counsel for exemption was again denied by the Chaibasa court.
Meanwhile, a separate defamation case involving Rahul Gandhi is also pending before the Sultanpur court, stemming from similar remarks against Amit Shah. The hearing scheduled for May 17 was deferred due to a workshop for lawyers. Gandhi had previously appeared in person before the Sultanpur court in July 2023.