Jharkhand High Court Extends 'No Coercive Action' Order Till December 7 In Defamation Case Against Rahul Gandhi

The Jharkhand High Court today extended the order of 'no coercive steps' against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi till December 7, in connection with a defamation case filed against him for his alleged statement, "why all thieves share the Modi surname".

Essentially, the Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi extended the life of the High Court's order passed on February 27, 2020, directing that no coercive steps be taken against Gandhi in connection with the defamation case filed against him before a Ranchi Court.

While campaigning for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi had allegedly made the statement in question ["why all thieves share the Modi surname"].

The facts in brief 

For his alleged objectionable remark on 'Modi' surname, an advocate named Pradeep Modi had filed a complaint in Ranchi Court objecting to his statement calling all people with Modi surname as thieves. The complainant has also sought Rs 20 crore from Rahul Gandhi for defaming people with Modi surname.

The district court had, after taking cognizance of the case, issued summons to Gandhi to appear before it in person or through his counsel. Challenging the same, Gandhi had moved to the High Court and had secured a 'no coercive steps' order on February 27, 2020.

Court's order 

The life of this very order date February 27, 2020, has been extended today till December 7 after the Court was apprised of the fact that Mr Kaushik Sarkhel, who was earlier arguing the case on behalf of Gandhi had now become a Law Officer

In light of these circumstances, it was submitted on behalf of Gandhi that the matter may be taken up on any other day so that Gandhi could engage another counsel to argue on his behalf in the matter. 

In view of this submission, the Jharkhand High Court, extending the interim order passed in Gandhi's favour till the next date of hearing and posted the matter on December 7, 2021.

Case title - Rahul Gandhi v. State of Jharkhand and Anr.

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