**Congress MP Rahul Gandhi Faces Non-Bailable Warrant in Defamation Case**
A non-bailable warrant has been issued against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi by an MP-MLA court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, in connection with a defamation case. The court has mandated that Gandhi appear in person on June 26, rejecting a request from his legal counsel for exemption from personal attendance.
The defamation case was initiated by BJP leader Pratap Katiyar, stemming from remarks made by Gandhi during a Congress plenary session in 2018. At that time, Gandhi allegedly suggested that even individuals facing serious charges, such as murder, could ascend to the presidency of the BJP, which he claimed was then held by Amit Shah.
Katiyar contended that Gandhi’s comments were defamatory and insulted BJP workers, prompting him to file the case on July 9, 2018, in the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Chaibasa. Following a directive from the Jharkhand High Court, the case was transferred to the MP-MLA court in Ranchi in February 2020, before being returned to the Chaibasa court, where the magistrate acknowledged the case and issued a summons to Gandhi.
Despite multiple summons, Gandhi failed to appear in court, leading to the issuance of a bailable warrant initially. He later sought a stay on the warrant from the Jharkhand High Court, which was resolved on March 20, 2024. Subsequently, a petition for exemption from personal appearance was filed by Gandhi but was also dismissed by the Chaibasa court. The recent issuance of a non-bailable warrant indicates the court’s firm stance on the matter.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of this legal battle for Gandhi and the Congress party remain to be seen.
**FAQ**
*What is the basis of the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi?*
The defamation case against Rahul Gandhi is based on remarks he made in 2018, suggesting that individuals facing serious criminal charges could become the president of the BJP, which BJP leader Pratap Katiyar claims is defamatory to the party and its workers.
