Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will appear in the Chaibasa Civil Court on August 6 in connection with a defamation case. This case pertains to an allegedly defamatory remark made against the then President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Amit Shah, in 2018.
Jharkhand: Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi will appear before the Special MP-MLA Court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand today, August 6, 2025, in a defamation case. The case stems from an allegedly defamatory statement made against the then President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Amit Shah, in 2018, which prompted BJP leader Pratap Katiyar to file a lawsuit.
The court had issued a summons against Rahul Gandhi, directing him to appear in person in this matter. Rahul Gandhi is expected to arrive at the court at 11:00 AM for the hearing and depart for Delhi at 11:30 AM after the proceedings. Both the administration and the Congress party have made extensive preparations for his visit.
Helipad and Security Arrangements Complete
Rahul Gandhi will arrive by helicopter at a temporary helipad constructed on the Tata College grounds in Chaibasa. This helipad has been secured with bamboo and barricades. From there, he will proceed to the court by road. A police force has been deployed throughout the area for security purposes, and the Deputy Commissioner has also held a high-level meeting with officials to maintain law and order.
All paperwork formalities related to the court have been completed by the Congress party. Local leaders and workers have been instructed to maintain peace and avoid any kind of crowd or demonstration.
Statement of Pratap Katiyar
The complainant in this case, BJP leader Pratap Katiyar, while speaking to the media, stated that the court is a constitutional institution and all leaders should respect it. He said, "It is unfortunate that a senior leader like Rahul Gandhi had not appeared in court until now, but it is hoped that he will definitely be present on August 6 and present his case."
He further added that no leader, however big, should consider themselves above the law. He believes that all parties should cooperate in the court process and respectfully abide by the verdict. Katiyar also appealed to all political parties to make statements with decorum and to be mindful of each other's respect.
What is the case about?
In 2018, Rahul Gandhi allegedly made a remark about Amit Shah during a political event, which the BJP considered objectionable and defamatory. Following this, BJP leader Pratap Katiyar filed a defamation case in the Chaibasa Civil Court. Considering the seriousness of the matter, it was transferred to the Special MP-MLA Court, where the hearing has now reached its final stage.
