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Bollywood actor Rahul Bose files reply in HC, says his HP domicile certificate legally valid

Sources said the defence raised the issue of media coverage of the case, though the court did not take cognisance of it.

3 min readShimlaUpdated: Dec 18, 2025 09:10 PM IST

Rohit Bose, who is the president of Rugby India, submitted the reply through his defence counsel before the single bench of Justice Ajay Mohan Goel. (Source: Instagram)

Bollywood actor and former rugby player Rahul Bose Thursday filed a detailed reply in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, asserting that his Himachal Pradesh domicile certificate is legally valid and has no connection with the elections of Rugby India.

Bose, who is the president of Rugby India, submitted the reply through his defence counsel before the single bench of Justice Ajay Mohan Goel. In his response, Bose also informed the court that he has decided not to contest for the presidency as a candidate from Himachal Pradesh. The matter has been listed for the next hearing on January 6, 2026.

On December 5, the High Court had issued a notice to Bose in a petition challenging his acquisition of a Himachal Pradesh domicile certificate, allegedly to become the president of Rugby India, the national federation for the sport. The petition was filed by Diviya Kumari Jubbal, a member of the erstwhile Jubbal princely state. The court had directed Bose and other respondents, including the state government, the Deputy Commissioner of Solan, and the Himachal Rugby Association, to file their replies by December 18.

Advocate Karan Singh Kanwar, representing the petitioner, said the reply filed by Bose was voluminous and would require detailed examination. “The matter has been listed for January 6. One of the respondents has sought time to file a response,” he said.

Defence counsel Janesh Gupta said the domicile certificate issued to Bose is legally valid and unrelated to the Rugby India elections, as alleged in the petition. He added that the reply also refers to the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, notified in August this year. Gupta told The Indian Express, “We filed our reply in the court of law. The domicile certificate issued to us is legally valid and it had nothing to do with the rugby body elections which was pointed out in the petition. In our reply we also mentioned The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 which was notified in August 2025.”

Sources said the defence also raised the issue of media coverage of the case, though the court did not take cognisance of it.

In her petition, Jubbal alleged that Bose used the reputation of the royal family to further his interests within the rugby federation and obtained a Himachal Pradesh domicile certificate to secure votes in the Rugby India election. She claimed Bose was born in Kolkata and holds Aadhaar, passport and domicile documents from Maharashtra, where he has worked in the film industry, and questioned the authenticity of his Himachal domicile certificate, alleging he required it to secure two votes from the state.

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Bose, a member of India’s first national rugby team to play in an international tournament, the Asian Rugby Football union Championship in 1998, was elected president of Rugby India in 2021. He is credited with playing a key role in popularising the sport in the country, including through the launch of India’s first franchise-based Rugby Premier League.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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