Rahul Gandhi to Appear in Chaibasa Court Tomorrow in 2018 Defamation Case Involving Amit Shah

Ranchi – Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to appear before the MP-MLA Special Court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, on Wednesday, August 6, in connection with a 2018 defamation case filed against him.

The case stems from a comment allegedly made by Gandhi targeting then BJP National President Amit Shah, during a Congress plenary session in 2018. He reportedly said,
“No murderer can become the National President in the Congress party. Congressmen cannot accept a murderer as their leader. This is possible only in the BJP.”

The complaint was lodged by Pratap Katiyar, a resident of Chaibasa, who claimed that the remark was a direct reference to Amit Shah and constituted defamation.

Following the complaint, a bailable warrant was issued in April 2022, but Rahul Gandhi failed to appear. In February 2024, a non-bailable warrant was issued due to his continued absence.

Although Gandhi’s legal team sought exemption from personal appearance, the Chaibasa court denied the request. Gandhi then approached the Jharkhand High Court, which granted a temporary stay on the warrant. However, in March 2024, the High Court disposed of the petition, allowing proceedings to resume in the lower court.

After the case returned to the Chaibasa court, Gandhi’s lawyers once again requested exemption, which was again denied.

Now, as per the latest court directive, Rahul Gandhi is expected to appear in person on August 6.

With inputs from IANS