Jharkhand HC Imposes Cost On Rahul Gandhi For Seeking Time In Defamation Case
The Jharkhand High Court has imposed a cost on Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi while granting him further time in connection with a criminal defamation case filed over his remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The case was initiated on a complaint by Pratap Kumar, who alleged that Gandhi’s comments in a Congress convention in March 2018 amounted to defamation. Gandhi allegedly suggested that even those accused of “murder charges” could rise to become president of the BJP, a remark that Kumar considered derogatory to all party workers.
Gandhi moved the high court seeking to quash the proceedings, but the matter has remained pending as his counsel has repeatedly sought adjournments.
On August 25, Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary recorded that despite earlier indulgence, Gandhi’s counsel once again pressed for time. Court allowed the request but directed that Gandhi must deposit Rs 2,000 with the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) within three weeks.
It further made clear that if the payment is not made within the stipulated period, the petition shall stand dismissed without further reference to the bench.
Earlier, in May 2024, the court had similarly granted Gandhi time on the condition that he deposit Rs. 1,000 with JHALSA. With the latest order, the court has reiterated that the matter cannot be kept pending indefinitely on account of repeated requests for adjournments.
The case will be listed after three weeks if proof of deposit is filed.
The proceedings trace back to Complaint Case No.161 of 2018 filed before a Chaibasa magistrate. Initially, the trial court declined to take cognizance. However, following a challenge in Cr. Revision No.23 of 2019, the revisional court set aside that order and directed fresh consideration. Cognizance was eventually taken under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, and Gandhi was summoned.
When the matter first came up before the high court on May 12, 2022, Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi had issued notice to the complainant while granting interim protection to Gandhi by directing that no coercive steps be taken against him. Gandhi’s counsel had argued that the complainant was not an “aggrieved person” under Section 198 CrPC and that his remarks, made during an internal Congress meeting, did not target any identified body or individual.
However, in May 2023, the high court noted that Gandhi was not ready for hearing and, as a result, vacated the interim protection from coercive action that had been granted to him in May 2022.
In the proceedings before the MP/MLA court, on August 6, 2025, Gandhi appeared before the court in Chaibasa and was granted bail in the case. He appeared before Judge Supriya Rani Tigga at the Chaibasa Civil Court, where the bail order was passed.
Case Title: Rahul Gandhi vs State of Jharkhand and Pratap Kumar
Order Date: August 25, 2025
Bench: Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary