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

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

The 42nd Special Court for Elected Representatives granted bail to Mr. Kharge and Mr. Nalapad, directing them to execute a personal bond of ₹1 lakh each with cash security 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 accused were present along with their respective counsels. The complainant’s counsel was also present.

Counsels for Mr. Kharge and Mr. Nalapad filed bail applications under Section 478 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and applications under Section 490 of the BNSS seeking acceptance of cash security, he said.

The court noted that the offence alleged against the two accused under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was bailable in nature and hence, the bail applications filed on behalf accused were allowed.

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