Lagatar24 Desk
Chaibasa: Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi appeared before the MP-MLA special court in Chaibasa on Wednesday in connection with a criminal defamation case. After marking his attendance before Judge Supriya Rani Tigga, he was granted bail on the condition that he cooperate during the trial. Advocates Pradeep Chandra and Dipankar Roy represented him in court.
Defamation Case Linked to 2018 Speech
The case pertains to a statement made by Rahul Gandhi during the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) plenary session on March 28, 2018, where he allegedly referred to BJP leaders as “murderers” and “liars.” BJP leader Pratap Kumar Katiyar had filed a criminal defamation case against him in Chaibasa CJM court on July 9, 2018. Katiyar was also present in court on Wednesday, accompanied by BJP leaders.
Special Security for Court Appearance
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chaibasa by helicopter from Ranchi, with a helipad set up at Tata College ground. Security arrangements were heightened for his visit. Other Congress leaders, including Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey, MLA Anup Singh, former minister Bandhu Tirkey, and former state Congress president Rajesh Thakur, reached the venue via road. Rahul entered the court at 10:57 AM, while several ministers were not allowed inside.
Series of Legal Proceedings Before Appearance
Originally scheduled to appear on June 26, Rahul Gandhi missed multiple court summons. The case was transferred between Ranchi and Chaibasa courts under High Court orders. Due to his repeated absences, bailable and later non-bailable warrants were issued. Rahul challenged the summons and warrant in the Jharkhand High Court multiple times. Ultimately, after the court denied his plea for exemption from appearance under CrPC Section 205, he voluntarily appeared in court on August 7.
