Rahul Gandhi Summoned by Pune Court in Savarkar Defamation Case: Get Ready for a Courtroom Showdown on October 23!

In a high-profile legal twist, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been summoned by a special court in Pune over defamation allegations filed by the grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The court's summons comes after Gandhi made comments during a speech in London in March 2023 that allegedly tarnished the reputation of the Hindutva ideologue.

The drama unfolded when Satya Ki Savarkar filed a criminal defamation suit against Gandhi for making offensive remarks about his grandfather. The Pune court has directed Gandhi to appear in person on October 23, igniting curiosity about the potential courtroom fireworks.

What’s the Legal Backstory?

The case was shifted last month from the Judicial Magistrate First Class (FMFC) court to a special court designated for cases involving MPs and MLAs. Satya Ki Savarkar's lawyer, Sangram Kolhatkar, stated that the special court, presided over by Joint Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Amol Shinde, found it necessary for Gandhi to respond to allegations under Section 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In his complaint, Satya Ki Savarkar alleged that Gandhi claimed during his London speech that his grandfather, V.D. Savarkar, had once recounted an incident where he and a few friends had assaulted a Muslim man, and that he felt joy from the incident. Satya Ki Savarkar vehemently refuted this, labeling Gandhi's allegations as imaginary, false, and malicious.

Following the complaint, the police were tasked with investigating the claims, and the Vishram Bagh police station reported that there appeared to be some truth in the allegations at first glance.

The Countdown Begins!

As the date approaches, all eyes will be on the courtroom as Gandhi prepares to defend himself against these serious allegations. The political implications of this case are profound, especially as it puts the spotlight back on the contentious historical narratives surrounding figures like Savarkar and the ongoing debates about Hindutva in India.