Savarkar Defamation Case: Pune Court Summons Rahul Gandhi In January After Congress Leader Seeks Exemption For Parliament Session

A special court in Pune has granted Congress President Rahul Gandhi an extension to appear in a defamation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of Hindutva leader Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, reported LiveLaw.

The court directed Gandhi to appear on 10 January 2025, after he sought exemption due to his responsibilities in Parliament as Leader of the Opposition during the ongoing Winter Session.

The defamation complaint stems from remarks Gandhi allegedly made during a speech in London in 2023, in which he reportedly claimed that Savarkar wrote about feeling happy after he and his friends assaulted a Muslim man.

Satyaki Savarkar’s complaint accuses Gandhi of making "false, malicious, and wild allegations" with the intent to harm Savarkar's reputation. "Gandhi has intentionally made false, malicious, and wild allegations against 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," the complaint states.

Special Judge Amol Shinde, while granting the extension, directed Gandhi to avoid making further comments on Savarkar, noting that the matter is sub judice. Previously, the court had summoned Gandhi to appear on 2 December, but his counsel, Advocate Milind Pawar, sought an exemption on his behalf, assuring the court of his attendance in January.

Satyaki Savarkar’s lawyer, Advocate Sangram Kolhatkar, sought stricter action against Gandhi, including a non-bailable warrant under IPC Section 174 for failing to comply with court orders.

The case has seen multiple missed appearances by Gandhi. Initially summoned on 4 October, Gandhi claimed he did not receive the notice. A subsequent summons for November 18 also saw his absence, with his counsel citing commitments to election campaigns.

The Vishrambaug police submitted an investigative report in May 2024, supporting Satyaki Savarkar’s claims and providing a factual basis for the allegations against Gandhi.