Thane (Maharashtra): Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will appear before a magistrate court in Bhiwandi in Thane district today in a defamation case related to RSS. An RSS worker has filed a defamation case against Rahul regarding his statements.
Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer Narayan Iyer told news agency PTI, “Gandhi has been asked to provide fresh bail as (Congress leader) Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, who was his current surety, died on December 12.”
When Rahul Gandhi got bail in this case, former Union Minister Shivraj Patil stood for his bail. The lawyer said that the judge has specifically directed Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, to be present in the court himself to complete the formalities related to the new bail.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist Rajesh Kunte filed a complaint in the court that Congress leader Rahul had said in a rally in Sonale village during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections that the RSS was behind the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Kunte said in his complaint under section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that this false comment has tarnished the image of the RSS.
The cross-examination and re-examination of Kunte has ended during the trial.
Earlier, the hearing was to be held on December 20, 2025, but due to the need for a new surety, it was postponed to January 17. On January 17, the magistrate adjourned the case till February 21.