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Synopsis

A Special Court in Pune has summoned Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case filed by the grandnephew of Veer Savarkar for his remarks made against Veer Savarkar during his visit to the United Kingdom.

Gandhi has been directed by the Special Court to appear on October 23, 2024.

The plea filed by the kin of Savarkar states that Gandhi had made allegations against Savarkar knowing it to be untrue with the intention to defame.

“The Accused, while addressing a gathering of the Overseas Congress at United Kingdom, which was uploaded by official channel of Accused on 05th March 2023 with title “Indians abroad are shining examples of our culture of respect | Interaction with Diaspora in London” of duration 17.47 min, has intentionally made false, malicious and wild allegations against Late Shri. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, fully knowing the said allegations to be untrue, with the specific objective of harming the reputation and to defame the surname Savarkar and to hurt the feelings of the family of Late Shri. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar,” the plea states.

The plea further states that Gandhi had full knowledge or at least a reason to believe that his false and defamatory imputations against Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, would hurt the feelings of his family members and near relatives and would cause mental agony to the present complainant.

Additionally, the kin of Savarkar has stated the video containing the speech or relevant parts was widely circulated on social media and also reported upon by media outlets and the allegations against  Savarkar were not at all in good faith nor for the public good, but were deliberately stated by Gandhi to defame Savarkar. As a direct result of such imputations, the image of Savarkar came to be lowered in the estimation of the others.

The plea states that Gandhi is a habitual offender and has been convicted by Surat Court recently.

“The Complainant further states that the Accused Mr. Rahul Gandhi is a habitual offender and has been regularly issuing defamatory statements against Late Veer Savarkar and also others. In fact, the Accused herein has recently been convicted for Criminal Defamation in a case, i.e. “Purnesh Bhai Ishwarbhai Modi v/s Rahul Gandhi, in CC/18712/2019” and has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by Hon’ble C.J.M. Surat Gujarat on 23.03.2023. Further, there are at least five or six other cases for defamation pending against the Accused herein in various courts, for defaming other persons and organizations,” the plea states.

Therefore, the plea seeks summons to be issued against Rahul Gandhi and his trial per the law.

Case Title: Satyaki Ashok Savarkar vs Rahul Rajiv Gandhi