Bengaluru Court Grants Bail to Priyank Kharge and Mohammed Nalapad in RSS Defamation Case

The 42nd Special Court for Elected Representatives in Bengaluru on Saturday granted bail to Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Congress leader Mohammed Nalapad in a defamation case over alleged derogatory posts and statements against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The court directed both leaders to execute a personal bond of ₹1 lakh each along with a cash security of ₹10,000 each to secure bail.

The proceedings arose from a complaint filed by A. Tejas, a resident of Siddapura, who alleged that public remarks made by both leaders had damaged the reputation of the RSS. According to the complaint, Mr. Kharge had posted a tweet against RSS members on October 14, 2025, while Mr. Nalapad had allegedly made derogatory remarks regarding the organisation during an appearance on a YouTube channel.

Both accused individuals appeared before the court alongside their legal counsels when the matter was called. The complainant's legal team was also present for the hearing.

According to advocate Chandan Rajappa, who appeared for the petitioner along with Venkatesh Dalwai, counsels representing Mr. Kharge and Mr. Nalapad submitted bail applications under Section 478 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), as well as applications under Section 490 of the BNSS requesting the acceptance of cash security.

The court allowed the applications after observing that the alleged offence under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is bailable in nature.