Savarkar Defamation Case: Pune Court Extends Time Given To Rahul Gandhi To Appear Before Court

In relation to a defamation complaint filed against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly defaming late right-wing leader Savarkar, a Special Court in Pune today granted Gandhi an extension to appear before the Court, setting the new date for January 10, 2025.

The Special MP/MLA court Judge Amol Shinde had earlier ordered Gandhi to remain present in the Court on December 2. 

Today, Advocate Milind Pawar, who appeared for Gandhi, told the Court that Gandhi is currently attending the Parliament sessions and hence could not be present in the Court. The Court thus directed Gandhi to appear on January 10. 

In October, the Special Court had issued summons to Gandhi to appear before the court personally so as to answer the charge under section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) initiated against him by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of Savarkar.

The defamation complaint asserts that Gandhi has repeatedly defamed Savarkar on various occasions over the years. One specific incident highlighted was on March 5, 2023, when Gandhi addressed the Overseas Congress in the United Kingdom.

The complainant has claimed that Gandhi made intentionally wild allegations against Savarkar, knowing them to be untrue, with the intention of harming Savarkar's reputation and causing mental agony to the complainant and his family. The complaint states that the defamatory speech was delivered in England, but its impact was felt in Pune as it was published and circulated throughout India.

The criminal defamation application filed by Satyaki demands maximum punishment for Gandhi under Section 500 (Punishment for defamation) of the IPC and seeks imposition of maximum compensation as per Section 357 (Order to pay compensation) of the CrPC.