RSS remarks case: Priyank Kharge, Nalapad directed to appear before court on August 14

BENGALURU: The 42nd ACMM court on Saturday adjourned the case regarding the derogatory remarks made by Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Youth Congress leader Mohammed to August 14 after the minister’s lawyers sought exemption from appearance citing the upcoming cabinet expansion. The court also issued fresh summons directing the two defendants to be present in court on the next date of hearing.

The lawyers for the Home minister requested a long date, but the court refused to grant a long adjournment and postponed the hearing to August 14. The judge said, “Since this is a court, I cannot give such a long date. Produce them on the next date. I will pass the order quickly and send them. I will not make them wait.”

The summons were issued on a private complaint filed by RSS worker Tejas Gowda, a resident of Siddapura, regarding Home Minister Priyank Kharge and Nalapad’s remarks about the RSS. Priyank Kharge had tweeted against RSS members on October 14, 2025. Nalapad had made derogatory statements on a YouTube channel. The complaint states that the derogatory remarks hurt the dignity of the organisation.

The judge of the special court for elected representatives, Justice Sandeep Patil, had earlier also issued summons to Priyank Kharge and Nalapad for personal appearance and had not accepted the police information regarding serving of summons. Subsequently, summons were issued for the second time to Priyank Kharge and Mohammed Nalapad.

On Saturday, lawyers appeared in court on behalf of Priyank Kharge, Mohammed Nalapad and filed vakalatnama on behalf of their clients. They also filed an application seeking exemption from appearance for the day under Section 228 BNSS. The court allowed the application and adjourned the hearing to August 14 for the appearance of the accused.