Court grants bail to Priyank Kharge, Nalapada in RSS defamation case

Priyank Kharge. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

A Bengaluru court on Saturday (August 29, 2026) granted bail to Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Congress leader Mohammed Nalapada in a case related to alleged defamatory posts and statements against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The 42nd Special Elected Representatives Court granted bail to Mr. Kharge and Mr. Nalapad and ordered them to furnish a personal bond of ₹ 1 lakh each with a cash surety of ₹ 10,000 each in a defamation case filed by A. Tejas.

According to advocate Chandan Rajappa, who appeared along with Venkatesh Dalwai on behalf of the petitioner, the case was called on Saturday and both the accused were present along with their lawyers. The applicant’s legal representative was also present.

Counsels for Mr. Kharge and Mr. Nalapada filed bail applications under Section 478 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and applications under Section 490 of the BNSS with a view to accepting a cash bond, he said.

The court observed that the offense charged against the two accused under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was bailable in nature and therefore the bail applications filed on behalf of the accused were allowed.

Mr. Tejas of Siddapura alleged that Mr. Kharge posted a tweet against RSS members on October 14, 2025, while Mr. Nalapad allegedly made derogatory remarks about the organization on a YouTube channel. The complainant alleged that the statements damaged the reputation of the RSS.

Published – 29 Aug 2026 23:08 IST