Savarkar Condemned Mahatma Gandhi’s Assassination, Says Grandnephew Satyaki Savarkar In Rahul Gandhi Defamation Case

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had condemned Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, his grandnephew Satyaki Savarkar told a Pune court during cross-examination in the criminal defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, while objecting to questions about the assassination and its links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Satyaki, who filed the defamation complaint over Gandhi’s remarks about Savarkar during a speech in London in March 2023, has alleged that the line of questioning was irrelevant to the proceedings. In a pursis submitted before the special MP/MLA court on October 14, he also raised concerns that questions about his daily routine, private engagements and attendance at public events had created an “oppressive atmosphere of surveillance”, impinging on his personal liberty and right to privacy.

Satyaki further alleged that his cross-examination had continued for more than 10 months without the defence concluding it or providing a definite timeline for its completion.

The next hearing is scheduled for October 28.

During the cross-examination, Gandhi’s lawyer questioned Satyaki about Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, Nathuram Godse, Gopal Godse and the RSS. Satyaki’s lawyer objected that these matters had no bearing on the defamation case.

Court said it would consider the objection at the time of final judgment.

Satyaki also asserted that Nathuram Godse and Gopal Godse were active members of the RSS. He referred to video interviews of Gopal Godse in which the latter reportedly said that Nathuram had left the organisation.

When questioned about the Justice Jivanlal Kapur Commission report, which examined the conspiracy behind Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, Satyaki argued that no commission was above the court. He also said the government had not accepted the report or challenged the judgments delivered in the assassination case.

What is the defamation case?

Satyaki filed the criminal defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi over remarks the Congress leader allegedly made during a speech in London on March 5, 2023.

According to the complaint, Gandhi said Savarkar had written in a book about an incident in which he and his friends assaulted a Muslim man and felt delighted about it. Satyaki has maintained that Savarkar authored no such book and that no such incident occurred.

Following the court’s directions, Pune city police conducted an inquiry and submitted a report on May 27, 2024, stating that Gandhi had defamed Savarkar. Gandhi has pleaded not guilty in the case.