A Pune court has summoned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The case stems from comments made by Gandhi during a speech in London in 2023, where he allegedly made derogatory statements about Savarkar.
Background of the Case
During his address to the Indian diaspora in London, Rahul Gandhi reportedly claimed that Savarkar had written in a book about an incident where he and his friends beat up a Muslim man and felt happy about it. Satyaki Savarkar refuted these claims, stating that no such incident was recorded in any of Savarkar’s writings and accused Gandhi of making false and malicious statements intended to insult Savarkar【298†source】【299†source】.
Legal Proceedings
The defamation complaint, filed under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, asserts that Gandhi’s remarks were unfounded and damaging to Savarkar’s reputation. The Pune Police submitted an enquiry report to the court, which indicated prima facie evidence supporting the allegations. Consequently, the court has issued a summons to Rahul Gandhi to appear and respond to these charges【299†source】【301†source】.
Broader Context
This legal action is part of a series of defamation cases faced by Rahul Gandhi, reflecting the contentious nature of political discourse in India. The case underscores the legal responsibilities and potential repercussions for public figures making controversial statements about historical figures.