Jharkhand HC Imposes ₹1K Fine On Rahul Gandhi For Delayed Response In Plea Challenging Non-Bailable Warrant Issued Against Him For Allegedly Defaming Amit Shah

The Jharkhand High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for failing to file his response within the stipulated time in a case challenging a non-bailable warrant issued against him for allegedly defaming Amit Shah. The warrant stems from alleged objectionable remarks Gandhi made against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary, presiding over the case stated, "Prayer for time is allowed subject to deposit of Rs.1,000/- by the petitioner with Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) within two weeks, failing which, this criminal miscellaneous petition shall stand dismissed without further reference to the Bench."

"If the proof of deposit of Rs.1,000/- with JHALSA by the petitioner is filed within two weeks, list this criminal miscellaneous petition after two weeks," Justice Choudhary added.

In February 2024, the MP-MLA court in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, issued a non-bailable warrant against Rahul Gandhi. This action stemmed from allegedly derogatory remarks Gandhi made about Amit Shah, then BJP president, during a Congress convention in March 2018.

BJP worker Pratap Katiyar filed a petition leading to the warrant, arguing that Gandhi's comments, which suggested that individuals with "charges of murder" could become BJP president, were defamatory and insulting to BJP workers. Katiyar had initially filed a defamation suit in 2018, seeking Rs 10 crore in damages.

Rahul Gandhi's request for personal exemption from appearing in court was denied on March 14, 2024, and he was ordered to appear on March 27. Gandhi then appealed to the High Court against the Trial Court's decision. On March 20, the High Court granted a month-long stay on the non-bailable warrant, and on April 25, it halted all proceedings initiated by the MP-MLA court.

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