Lucknow Court Grants Bail to Rahul Gandhi in Defamation Case Over Bharat Jodo Yatra Remarks

Rahul Gandhi appeared before the MP-MLA Special Magistrate court in Lucknow on July 15, 2025, facing defamation charges over remarks he made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra about alleged Chinese aggression against Indian soldiers.

The court granted him bail, requiring a ₹20,000 bond and two sureties of the same amount. The defamation complaint was filed by retired BRO Director Uday Shankar Srivastava, alleging Gandhi’s comments undermined public trust in the Army. 

Gandhi’s prior petition in the Allahabad High Court had been dismissed, with the HC confirming that free speech does not extend to defamatory statements against the military. The next date of hearing is August 13.