Legal proceedings involving Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has faced multiple legal challenges in Indian courts regarding assets and defamation.

In August 2026, the Supreme Court of India granted interim relief to Gandhi by ordering the Allahabad High Court to defer proceedings in a disproportionate assets case. This case, initiated by a BJP worker, alleged that Gandhi possessed assets exceeding his known income. The Supreme Court noted that the High Court had issued directions without providing Gandhi an opportunity to be heard and stayed the proceedings while the challenge is examined.

In September 2026, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition by Gandhi to quash criminal defamation proceedings stemming from 2018 remarks in Rajasthan, where he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ‘commander-in-thief’ regarding the Rafale fighter aircraft deal. Justice Nitin Borkar rejected Gandhi’s argument that the complaint was not maintainable because he had not named a specific individual, ruling that the BJP is an identifiable body and the Prime Minister is its prominent face. The defamation complaint was filed by BJP member Mahesh Shrishrimal. While the court refused to quash the proceedings, it granted Gandhi a six-week window to challenge the order before the Supreme Court, during which he is protected from appearing before the magistrate.