Defamation Case: Rahul Gandhi’s Petition for Exemption from Court Appearance Scheduled for Hearing

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has filed a petition seeking personal exemption from appearing in court regarding the defamation case linked to his remarks about the ‘Modi surname’. The plea is set to be heard on Saturday.

The case stems from a comment Gandhi made during an election rally in April 2019, where he allegedly said, “Why do all thieves share the Modi surname?” This remark led to a defamation case filed by Ranchi resident Pradeep Modi, along with a separate civil suit seeking Rs 20 crore in damages.

In response to a summons from Ranchi’s MP/MLA Special Court requiring Gandhi’s personal appearance, his legal team filed a petition under Section 205 of the CrPC, seeking exemption. Earlier, the Jharkhand High Court had granted interim relief to Gandhi, excusing him from personal appearances while his petition was under review. The court had ruled in his favor in August, following the MP/MLA Special Court’s dismissal of his initial exemption request.

The controversy surrounding Gandhi’s remarks has led to a series of legal challenges, including the ongoing defamation case in Ranchi.