2018 defamation case: Rahul Gandhi moves Jharkhand HC against non-bailable arrest warrant
RANCHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has approached the Jharkhand High Court, challenging the non-bailable warrant issued against him by a Special MP-MLA Court in Chaibasa. Gandhi, in his petition, has requested the court to quash the warrant issued against him.
On May 22, 2025, a Chaibasa court issued the non-bailable warrant, directing him to appear in person on June 26. Earlier, his counsel had filed an application under Section 205 of the CrPC seeking exemption from personal appearance, but the court rejected the plea and insisted on his presence. After the rejection, Gandhi has now moved the High Court against the lower court's order.
According to the petition, he has already filed a plea in the Jharkhand High Court seeking exemption from appearance, which is still pending. In such a situation, the issuance of a non-bailable warrant by the Chaibasa court is "unfair", the petition claims.
Rahul Gandhi had reportedly made sharp remarks against the BJP, allegedly calling its leaders 'murderers' and 'liars' during a speech on March 18, 2018, at the AICC Plenary Session in New Delhi.
'The people of this country will never accept a lying Bhartiya Janata Party leadership drunk with power because they know what the BJP is designed for.' Further, he said, 'They will accept a man accused of murder as the President of BJP, but the people will never accept the same in the Congress Party,' he was said to have remarked.
Hurt by these remarks, BJP worker Pratap Kumar filed a complaint at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Chaibasa on July 9, 2018. The court took cognizance of the matter in February 2022 and issued summons to Gandhi, which were received by his office. After initial hearings and testimonies, 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 later sent back to the MP-MLA Court in Chaibasa as per another High Court order.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
31 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Rahul's surrender barb insult of armed forces: BJP
The BJP on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) accused Rahul Gandhi of insulting the armed forces with his "surrender" barb at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that it amounted to undermining the success of Operation Sindoor. BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress leader has surpassed even the Pakistani Army chief, its Prime Minister and terrorist masterminds based there in speaking in support of the neighbouring country, and alleged that his jibes reflect a sick and dangerous mindset. Citing a string of historical developments on the Congress watch, from Pakistan occupying part of Indian territory to Gandhi himself lamenting the western indifference to alleged democratic slide in India under the Modi government, he said history is full of such stories of surrender from the Nehru-Gandhi family and lauded Prime Minister Modi as the "lion of mother India". He noted controversial comments of various leaders of opposition INDIA bloc, which met on Tuesday and demanded a special session of Parliament following Operation Sindoor, and claimed it has been unmasked. "INDIA is in their name but Pakistan is in their heart," he added. He said Mr. Gandhi's comments have shown that he lacks the maturity and seriousness expected of the leader of opposition. If the Congress leader made these remarks on his own, then it raises a serious question over his loyalty, he said, adding that Gandhi should consider changing advisers if they were behind it. Mr. Gandhi had on Tuesday alleged at a Congress event in Bhopal that Modi surrendered after a call from US President Donald Trump during the India-Pakistan military conflict. "A call came from Trump and Narendra ji immediately surrendered - history is a witness, this is the character of BJP-RSS, they always bow down," he had said. Hitting back, Mr. Trivedi said Mr. Gandhi was already making headlines in Pakistani media and its parliament, and is now saying something even Pakistani establishment and terrorists based there had not said. The Indian government has already rejected Mr. Trump's claim of mediation between India and Pakistan to stop military actions from both sides, Mr. Trivedi said and took a swipe at the US president in an apparent reference to his penchant for making wild claims. The BJP spokesperson referred to Mr. Trump posting the conspiracy theory that his predecessor Joe Biden was killed in 2020 and replaced by a robotic clone. Mr. Trivedi dubbed Mr. Gandhi as "Rahul Munir" and "Rahul Sharif", using the surnames of the Pakistani army chief and prime minister for his alleged undermining of India's prestige and the valour of its armed forces.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Countries enthusiastic about partnering with India, says all-party delegation member in US
Investing in India is increasingly viewed as an investment in "democracy", "responsible civilian leadership", and global progress, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya , who is part of an all-party delegation visiting the US, has said. Speaking to PTI, Surya highlighted the enthusiastic response from the four countries visited by the multiple-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor . The group arrived in the US on Tuesday after a visit to Brazil. "Every single country was enthusiastic about what they can offer to India and what India can offer to them," he said, underlining that after addressing the agenda of Operation Sindoor , the delegation engaged in conversations focusing on potential partnerships in sectors like manufacturing and technology. "People know that investment in India is investing in democracy and investment in India is investment in reponsilble civilian leadership," he said, adding that it means global progress as well. Live Events On the other hand, he said these countries can only talk about terrorism with Pakistan. The delegation travelled to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and Brazil before arriving in Washington for the last leg of its tour. "Many countries which are interested in manufacturing, which are interested in technology, they want to partner with India," said Surya. He noted that every terrorist attack in the last 20-30 years that has rocked the world has had investigations directly or indirectly leading to Pakistan. Speaking to PTI, another delegation member and Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora said that "for American investments to continue to perform in India, India needs peace. India needs strong borders. India needs security." "We want to live in peace. We would prefer it if we have a stable neighbour. Nobody wants an unstable lunatic living next to you," he said The multi-party group will be engaging with members of the US Congress, American think tanks and media professionals during its visit. The delegation also comprises Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Ganti Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), and India's former Ambassador to the US Taranjit Sandhu. It is one of the seven multi-party delegations India had tasked to visit 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community to emphasise Pakistan's links to terrorism. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
Hans India
42 minutes ago
- Hans India
Delhiites finally getting justice: BJP, RLD as Sisodia, Jain summoned by ACB in classroom construction case
New Delhi: The BJP and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) on Wednesday criticised the AAP after the Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) summoned former ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain in connection with the alleged Rs 2,000-crore classroom construction irregularities case. Both parties hailed the development as a long-awaited step toward justice for the people of Delhi, accusing the AAP of corruption and misuse of power for personal gain. Satyendar Jain has been asked to appear before the ACB on June 6, while Manish Sisodia has been summoned for questioning on June 9. The summons relate to alleged irregularities in the awarding and execution of contracts for the construction of school classrooms and temporary shelters in the national Capital. Speaking to IANS, Maharashtra BJP MLA Ram Kadam stated, "Whenever action is taken against AAP leaders, they claim it's all done out of revenge. I want to say they should take it to the courts. If they have proper proof, they should present it in court." He accused the AAP leaders of constructing a 'Sheesh Mahal' while performing a "drama" with the poor, alleging that they only used their power to make money. "Everything is on paper; how can you ignore it?" he added. Delhi Minister for Environment, Forest, and Wildlife, Manjinder Singh Sirsa also condemned the AAP, calling it "the most corrupt party in the country." He accused Sisodia and Jain of being at the centre of the massive scam involving classrooms and temporary shelters. "Just imagine such a huge scam worth Rs 2,000 crore, where temporary shelters were allotted at Rs 8,800 per square foot — a rate high enough to build a five-star hotel with furniture costing not less than Rs 1,500 per foot," Sirsa stated. He further alleged, "The money was given to 34 favourites of the accused, with rates fixed by the architects themselves. The whole process was rigged, resulting in crores being looted." Sirsa expressed satisfaction at the ongoing investigation, claiming, "Now the people of Delhi are finally getting justice. The way Jain and Sisodia looted Delhi with both hands, the time has come for them to give an account. The ACB will complete the investigation, and everything will be revealed." Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader and former MP, Malook Nagar, also weighed in on the matter, emphasising the rule of law and constitutional process. "This country is run by the Constitution and laws made by the Parliament," Nagar said. "If any person commits a scam, they must face legal scrutiny through the proper agencies." He stressed the importance of accountability in public office, adding, "This scam involving thousands of crores is serious, so summons and notices must be sent, and those involved have to answer for it. The responsibility lies with the investigating agencies." Nagar urged them to cooperate with the legal process, stating, "Those concerned must justify their actions by submitting documents and proving their innocence within the legal framework." He reaffirmed the principle of equality before the law, saying, "This is a democracy, and the law is the same for everyone. It is not just a common man who can be punished — even those holding constitutional posts now or in the past cannot escape accountability. The country will be run by the Constitution, and everyone will have to follow the same process." Meanwhile, both Jain and Sisodia have been asked to join the investigation in connection with alleged irregularities in the construction of semi-permanent school rooms and buildings, by the then executive of Delhi government, at inflated costs.
