Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to appear before the special MP-MLA court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, on Wednesday. Gandhi arrived in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on Tuesday, where he attended the funeral of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren. He stayed at a hotel in Ranchi and will appear in the Chaibasa court around 12 noon. To reach the Chaibasa court, Rahul Gandhi will travel from Ranchi by helicopter, which will land at the Tata College ground in Chaibasa. Security has been heightened at the Chaibasa court premises due to Rahul Gandhi’s presence. Every person entering and exiting the court is being thoroughly checked.
The case dates back to 2018. On March 28, 2018, during a Congress convention, Rahul Gandhi made certain remarks against the then-BJP national president Amit Shah (current Union Home Minister). A defamation case was filed against Rahul Gandhi in the Chaibasa CJM court in July 2018 by BJP leader Pratap Kumar over those objectionable remarks.
Rahul Gandhi did not appear in court in this matter. Subsequently, while hearing the case on May 24, the Chaibasa court issued a non-bailable warrant against Rahul Gandhi, ordering him to be physically present in court on June 26. Rahul Gandhi approached the Jharkhand High Court to quash the non-bailable warrant. Hearing the matter, the Jharkhand High Court directed him to appear in the Chaibasa court on August 6. The entire nation is watching today’s hearing in the Jharkhand’s Chaibasa court regarding the 2018 case. It will be important to see what the court decides on his bail application.