Rahul Gandhi Arrives in Mumbai, to Appear Before Bhiwandi Court Today in 2014 RSS Defamation Case

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Mumbai on Saturday morning, February 21, and he is scheduled to appear before the Bhiwandi Court in Thane district in the 2014 RSS defamation case filed against him. 

Bhiwandi Police has increased security in the region, especially near the district court, ahead of Congress leader's visit. The appearance is necessitated by procedural requirements as Gandhi has signed a bond and furnished a new guarantor following the death of his earlier guarantor, former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

Rahul Gandhi's advocate Narayan Iyer told the media that the Congress leader will personally attend the Bhiwandi court hearing. Since Shivraj Patil, who stood as Gandhi’s guarantor, has passed away, the court has asked for a new guarantor to be presented. Accordingly, Gandhi will sign the bond afresh and complete the formalities during Saturday’s hearing.

Bhiwandi, Maharashtra: Advocate Narayan Iyer, representing Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "Although this matter dates back to 2014, both the complainant and the accused had previously challenged certain miscellaneous orders in higher courts. There has been no delay in the… pic.twitter.com/8UqvDjQ6Al

— IANS (@ians_india) February 21, 2026

"Although this matter dates back to 2014, both the complainant and the accused had previously challenged certain miscellaneous orders in higher courts. There has been no delay in the proceedings at the Bhiwandi court, which is moving at a fast pace," said Advocate Narayan Iyer.

"Advocate Narayan Iyer, representing Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "This case dates back to 2014 and is a private criminal defamation complaint. Today’s hearing concerns the cross-examination of the investigating officer who conducted the investigation under Section 202 in 2014," he added.

Thane police have further strengthened security in and around the court premises. Shops within a 100-meter radius of the court have also been closed as a precautionary measure. The heightened security comes ahead of the high-profile court appearance of the Congress leader.

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said that Rahul Gandhi is their leader and is appearing in court to follow the legal process. He added that the Congress leader is being targeted because he has exposed what they consider the "true face" of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"He is our leader, and he is coming for the legal process... It is obvious that Rahul Gandhi has exposed the true face of the BJP and PM Modi. That is why he is being targeted in this manner," Sapkal told ANI.

Mumbai, Maharashtra: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives in Mumbai. He will appear before the Bhiwandi court in connection with a 2014 defamation case

(Source: Congress) pic.twitter.com/lL839OAx2V

— IANS (@ians_india) February 21, 2026

Congress leader Aslam Sheikh described the case as an attempt to suppress and harass Gandhi but emphasised that neither he nor the Gandhi family would be deterred or apologise, and the party would continue to fight against the ruling party.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi to appear before Bhiwandi court in 2014 defamation case today, new guarantor to be presented.

A local Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionary, Rajesh Kunte, had filed the case against Gandhi for claiming at an election rally on March 6, 2014, that the right-wing organisation had killed Mahatma Gandhi.

In September 2016 Gandhi withdrew his petition filed in the apex court, challenging the case and said he would face the trial. He expressed his readiness to face the trial after the top court refused to interfere with the criminal proceedings pending against him before the trial court.