Bengaluru Court Grants Bail to Kharge, Nalapad in RSS Defamation Case

A Bengaluru court granted conditional bail on Saturday, August 29, 2026, to Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Congress leader Mohammed Haris Nalapad in a criminal defamation case stemming from alleged derogatory remarks about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The 42nd Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court allowed their bail applications after the accused appeared in person, setting a personal bond of Rs 1,00,000 and cash security of Rs 10,000 each.

The case originates from a private complaint filed by A. Tejas, an RSS worker and Bengaluru resident. He alleged that Kharge and Nalapad made a series of defamatory statements targeting the RSS and its members in October 2025, which portrayed the organization in a negative and unlawful light. The complaint cited a letter Kharge wrote to the Karnataka government on October 4, 2025, urging it to prevent the RSS from using government playgrounds and schools, which was subsequently shared on his social media. It also referenced social media posts from October 13 and 14, 2025, allegedly made by Kharge, including one stating, "Never befriend an RSS member. Not only friend, even if it is your family... They are the real...