RSS Defamation Case: Thane Court Extends Rahul Gandhi’s Bail After Personal Appearance

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi appeared before the Bhiwandi Magistrate Court in Thane on Saturday in connection with a long-pending criminal defamation case linked to remarks he allegedly made about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) . His presence was required to complete bail formalities after former Union minister Shivraj Patil , who had stood as surety when Gandhi secured bail in 2016, passed away in December 2025. Acting on court directions, Gandhi presented Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal as his new surety. After verifying Sapkal’s credentials and obtaining his signature on the bond, the court completed the required legal procedure, ensuring continuity of Gandhi’s bail conditions.

The case stems from a complaint filed by RSS worker Rajesh Kunte , who objected to remarks Gandhi allegedly made during a rally in Sonale village while campaigning for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections . According to the complaint, Gandhi suggested the RSS was responsible for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination , a claim the complainant argued harmed the organisation’s reputation. The case was registered under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code , which deals with defamation. Gandhi has denied wrongdoing, maintaining that his remarks were made in a broader political context. The proceedings have continued for years, reflecting the slow pace typical of high-profile legal cases, and the court is expected to announce the next hearing date later.

Following his court appearance, Gandhi travelled to Mumbai and held a lunch meeting with senior state leaders to review the party’s performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections held on January 15 and to assess the political situation in Maharashtra. The meeting was attended by Sapkal and Mumbai Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad , among others. Gandhi reportedly raised concerns over the party winning only 24 of 227 seats and reviewed organisational weaknesses, grassroots outreach, and campaign strategy. Leaders also discussed whether contesting independently instead of aligning with Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar affected the results.

Emphasising organisational rebuilding, Gandhi urged the Mumbai unit to strengthen booth-level mobilisation, expand grassroots engagement, and improve voter outreach ahead of future electoral contests. He also held a one-on-one meeting with Sapkal to discuss restructuring and revitalising the party apparatus in Maharashtra. The defamation case continues to carry political sensitivity, reflecting longstanding ideological differences between the Congress and the RSS while also highlighting broader debates over political speech and defamation law in India.