New Delhi, June 8, 2024 —Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was granted bail by a Bengaluru court on Friday in the defamation case filed by the BJP. The bail was announced by Special Magistrate KNS Sivakumar shortly after Gandhi's appearance in court, with the next hearing date set for June 30, according to Hindustan Times.

The bail was secured with former MP DK Suresh pledging assets worth Rs 75 lakh as security. The defamation case stems from allegations made by the Congress during the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections, accusing the then BJP government of charging a 40 percent commission on all government work. These accusations were published in local newspapers.

In response, BJP MLC and General Secretary Keshav Prasad filed a defamation case, claiming the ads were false and defamatory, tarnishing the party's image. The case named Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. While Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar were granted bail on June 1, the court required Gandhi to appear in person.

Rahul Gandhi, who won seats in both Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, and Wayanad, Kerala in this year's Lok Sabha elections, will face further proceedings as the case continues.