Jharkhand High Court Orders Rahul Gandhi to Appear in 2018 Defamation Case
The Jharkhand High Court has ordered Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, to appear in person before the Chaibasa MP-MLA court on August 6, 2025, in a defamation case. The case stems from comments he made during a Congress session in 2018 targeting BJP leaders. BJP leader Pratap Kumar Kukiar filed the case, alleging that Gandhi's statements were defamatory. The Chaibasa MP-MLA court had issued a non-bailable warrant, which Gandhi challenged in the High Court.
Details of the Defamation Case
The controversy began in 2018 when Rahul Gandhi made comments against BJP leaders at a Congress session. During this Delhi session on March 28, 2018, Gandhi's statements, considered defamatory by BJP leader Pratap Kumar Kukiar, allegedly damaged his and his party's reputation.
Subsequently, on July 9, 2018, Kukiar filed a defamation suit against Rahul Gandhi in the Chaibasa Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court. Initially heard in the CJM court, the case was later transferred to the Ranchi MP-MLA special court. Upon the establishment of an MP-MLA court in Chaibasa, the case was transferred back.
MP-MLA Court's Actions
The Chaibasa MP-MLA court took the matter seriously. On June 26, 2025, the court ordered Rahul Gandhi to appear in person. Gandhi's lawyers filed an application for exemption from personal appearance.
However, the court rejected the application and issued a non-bailable warrant, mandating Gandhi's personal appearance. Failure to comply could result in arrest.
Jharkhand High Court's Ruling
On Monday, June 9, 2025, a bench of Justice Anil Kumar Chaudhary in the Jharkhand High Court heard Gandhi's petition. Gandhi's criminal writ petition sought the quashing of the MP-MLA court's non-bailable warrant. The High Court denied relief, ordering Gandhi to appear in person before the Chaibasa MP-MLA court on August 6, 2025.
Rahul Gandhi's Argument
Gandhi's petition argued that a pending application for exemption from appearance before the MP-MLA court rendered the non-bailable warrant inappropriate. His lawyers contended that his significant responsibilities as a senior politician and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha warranted exemption.
The court, however, dismissed this argument. Justice Anil Kumar Chaudhary clarified that Gandhi's personal appearance was necessary for the case to proceed.
Pratap Kukiar's Claim
Pratap Kukiar, the complainant, is a local BJP leader. His lawyer, Keshav Prasad, stated that Gandhi made objectionable remarks against the BJP at the March 28, 2018, Congress session. Kukiar considered these statements damaging to his and his party's reputation, alleging that they were not only false but also harmed the BJP leaders' standing.
