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Synopsis

The Allahabad High Court on Friday refused to interfere in the defamation proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The case, filed by advocate Nripendra Pandey, is pending before an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Lucknow.

The bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi remarked that Gandhi had an alternative remedy of criminal revision under Section 397/399 of the CrPC and could approach the Sessions Judge for relief. In view of this, the court disposed of his plea.

Gandhi had challenged the December 2023 summoning order issued by the trial court.

Notably, a Sessions Court revived the complaint against him which was initially dismissed in June 2023, but the Sessions Court allowed the revision plea filed by Pandey, leading to Gandhi's summoning.

The defamation case stems from allegations that Gandhi, during a press conference in Maharashtra in 2022, stated that Savarkar was a “servant of the British” and received a pension from them.

Importantly, a Lucknow court on March 5, 2025, imposed a fine of Rs 200 on Gandhi for failing to appear in the defamation case.

The court also directed him to be present on the next hearing on April 14, warning of strict legal consequences, including a non-bailable warrant, if he fails to comply. 

Advocate Pranshi Agarwal appeared for Gandhi before the high court. 

Case Title: Rahul Gandhi vs. State of UP and Another  (A482/2860/2025)