Allahabad HC Dismisses Plea Seeking FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Fight Against Indian State’ Remark

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a plea seeking the registration of a First Information Report against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remark that he was in a “fight against the Indian State,” made during a speech at the inauguration of the Congress party’s new headquarters in New Delhi.

Justice Vikram D. Chauhan dismissed the plea, which challenged a trial court’s refusal to direct the registration of a criminal case against Gandhi in the matter.

The controversy arose from a speech delivered by Gandhi on January 15, 2025, during the inauguration of the party’s new headquarters, Indira Bhawan, in New Delhi. While addressing party workers, Gandhi alleged that the BJP and RSS had captured every institution in the country, including the judiciary and the media, and stated: “Do not think we are fighting a fair fight… If you believe we are fighting against a political organisation called BJP and RSS, you have not understood… We are now fighting not just the BJP and RSS, but the Indian State itself.”

Following the speech, Simran Gupta, an office-bearer of Hindu Shakti Dal, filed a complaint alleging that Gandhi’s remarks were seditious and anti-national. She contended that the statement portrayed the Indian State as an adversary, was intended to destabilise the country, hurt the sentiments of citizens, and undermined national integrity.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge at Chandausi, Sambhal, dismissed her application seeking registration of an FIR, labelling the case as weak and holding that the remarks did not meet the threshold for criminal prosecution. Gupta subsequently approached the Allahabad High Court, which has now also dismissed her plea.

Case Details

• Court: High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
• Judge: Justice Vikram D. Chauhan
• Date of Order: May 1, 2026
• Petitioner: Simran Gupta, office-bearer of Hindu Shakti Dal
• Outcome: Plea dismissed