Rahul Gandhi Granted Bail in 2018 Defamation Case Over Remarks on Amit Shah Amid Heightened Security in Chaibasa

Chaibasa: In a significant legal development, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was granted bail by the MP-MLA Court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, on Wednesday. The bail is in connection with a defamation case filed over remarks Gandhi allegedly made against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a public rally in 2018. The Congress leader personally appeared before the court, which had previously directed him to do so following a petition filed by local resident Pratap Kumar.

With Gandhi’s visit to Chaibasa scheduled well in advance, the district administration had heightened security measures across the town. Officials confirmed that additional police forces were deployed, barricades set up, and surveillance increased to ensure law and order was maintained during the high-profile court appearance. A temporary helipad was also constructed at Tata College Ground to facilitate Gandhi’s arrival by helicopter from Ranchi, underlining the scale of security and logistical coordination involved.

Rahul Gandhi’s presence in Jharkhand was not limited to the court matter. A day earlier, on Tuesday, he visited Nemra village in Ramgarh district to attend the funeral of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha patriarch, Shibu Soren. His visit drew political significance as it marked an important outreach toward tribal communities in the region, while also highlighting Gandhi’s active role in national opposition politics.

The defamation case against him stems from remarks he allegedly made during a rally in Chaibasa in 2018, where he reportedly referred to Amit Shah in a manner that the complainant, Pratap Kumar, considered defamatory. Kumar’s legal complaint asserted that Gandhi’s statement was not only derogatory but also intended to damage Shah’s public image. Acting on the complaint, the local magistrate court had summoned Gandhi to appear before it earlier in June 2025.

Initially, Gandhi’s legal team had approached the Jharkhand High Court seeking relief from the appearance order. During a hearing on June 10, his counsel cited prior commitments and requested a new date in August. The high court allowed the request, leading to Gandhi’s eventual appearance in court on August 6, where he was granted bail without objection.