Rahul Gandhi approaches Jharkhand High Court challenging a non-bailable warrant

Rahul Gandhi | Photo Credit: ANI

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a fresh petition has approached the Jharkhand High Court, challenging a non-bailable warrant issued against him by the MP-MLA Special Court of Chaibasa.

In his petition, Mr. Gandhi has requested the court to quash the warrant.

Earlier on May 22, the Chaibasa court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Mr. Gandhi asking him to appear in person on June 26. Mr. Gandhi’s advocate had earlier filed a petition for exemption from physical appearance but the court rejected the plea and directed him to appear in person.

Following the court’s order, his counsel has moved Jharkhand High Court against the lower court’s order.

The case is related to Mr. Gandhi’s speech against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders using “defamatory” language against them in March 2018. BJP leader Pratap Kumar had filed a defamation case against Mr. Gandhi in the Chaibasa court on July 9, 2018. Later the case was transferred to the Special MP-MLA Court in Ranchi in February 2020 on the orders of the Jharkhand High Court. It was forwarded to the MP-MLA Special Court in Chaibasa as per another order of the High Court.

Despite receiving the summons, the Congress leader did not appear in court. A bailable warrant was sent from the court but Mr. Gandhi did not appear before it.

Published - June 03, 2025 12:08 am IST