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

Rahul Gandhi

A special MP-MLA court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, has issued a non-bailable warrant against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a 2018 defamation suit filed by BJP’s Pratap Katiyar.

Origin Of The Case

The dispute traces back to the Congress plenary session of August 2018, when Gandhi reportedly quipped that “even someone accused of charges of murder” could rise to the position of BJP president, then held by Amit Shah. Feeling aggrieved by the remark, Katiyar lodged a complaint on July 9, 2018, alleging it defamed both him and the BJP workers.

Procedural Journey

Initial Filing (2018): Complaint registered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Chaibasa.

High Court Transfer (2020): Jharkhand High Court moved the matter to the Ranchi MP-MLA court.

Return to Chaibasa: Subsequently, the case was sent back to the MP-MLA court in Chaibasa.

Despite multiple summons, Gandhi did not appear in person. The MP-MLA court first issued a bailable warrant. His plea for a stay was dismissed by the Jharkhand High Court in March 2024. When Gandhi then sought exemption from personal appearance, the Chaibasa court refused.

On May 23, the Chaibasa MP-MLA court escalated matters by issuing a non-bailable warrant, directing Gandhi to appear in person on June 26. Failure to comply may lead to his arrest.

This development marks yet another legal hurdle for the former Congress president, who is already embroiled in several high-profile judicial battles. Observers note that this case, though stemming from a decade-old political remark, underscores the growing trend of litigating speech in Indian politics.