India News : A court in Punjab’s Sangrur district has issued a bailable warrant against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in connection with his remarks comparing the Bajrang Dal to the Popular Front of India (PFI) during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election campaign.
The court has directed Kharge to appear in person on September 19, 2026, and obtain bail. The warrant has been issued with a bail amount of ₹15,000.
Complaint Filed Over 2023 Election Remark
The case stems from a complaint filed by Hitesh Bhardwaj, a resident of Sangrur associated with the Bajrang Dal. The complaint challenges Kharge’s statement made during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election campaign, in which he compared the Bajrang Dal with the PFI and said that a Congress government would ban the Bajrang Dal.
Court Treats Matter as Criminal Case
According to reports, the matter was initially treated as a civil dispute. However, the court has now proceeded with it as a criminal case, leading to the issuance of the bailable warrant.
Personal Appearance Ordered
The court has made it clear that Kharge must appear personally before it on September 19, 2026. It also warned that if he fails to appear on the scheduled date, it may issue a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him.
The case will now proceed further based on Kharge’s appearance and the subsequent judicial process.
