Jamshedpur : In a significant legal development, the Chaibasa MP-MLA Special Court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
The court has directed him to appear in person on June 26 in connection with a defamation case dating back to 2018.
Rahul Gandhi’s counsel had filed a plea under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), seeking exemption from personal appearance, but the court rejected the application and mandated his presence.
The defamation case stems from a speech delivered by Gandhi on March 28, 2018, during the All India Congress Committee’s plenary session, where he allegedly referred to BJP leaders as “murderers” and “liars.”
BJP leader Pratap Kumar subsequently filed the case in the Chaibasa CJM court on July 9, 2018.
The case has since moved through various judicial levels, first being transferred to the Ranchi MP-MLA Special Court in 2020, and later to the Chaibasa MP-MLA Special Court, following directives from the Jharkhand High Court.
Despite multiple summons and a previously issued bailable warrant, Gandhi failed to appear before the court.
His challenge to the warrant in the High Court was disposed of in March 2024. Further attempts to secure exemption from appearance were also rejected.
After withdrawing a recent petition in March 2025, Gandhi announced plans to file a criminal miscellaneous petition, prompting the High Court to revoke its interim stay on April 25, 2024.
On May 22, with no compliance from the Congress leader, the Chaibasa Court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant, intensifying the legal pressure on him ahead of the June 26 hearing.
उदित वाणी 
टेलीग्राम पर भी उपलब्ध है। यहां क्लिक करके आप सब्सक्राइब कर सकते हैं।