Rahul Gandhi Summoned by Pune Court
Defamation Case Filed by Savarkar’s Grandnephew
A court in Pune, Maharashtra, has issued a summons to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. He is required to appear before the court on October 23 in connection with a criminal defamation case. The case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of the late Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The complaint, represented by advocate Sangram Kolhatkar, alleges that Rahul Gandhi made objectionable remarks about Savarkar during a visit to the UK last year. These remarks were reportedly made during a gathering in London on March 5, 2023. Satyaki Savarkar claims that Gandhi’s statements were false and intended to damage Savarkar’s reputation, causing distress to his family.
Earlier this year, the court instructed Pune police to investigate the complaint under Section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The issue has also drawn criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and Ranjit Savarkar, another grandson of Veer Savarkar. They accused the Congress party of attempting to defame Savarkar, especially with elections approaching.
Ranjit Savarkar criticized Congress’s strategy, claiming it aims to divide Hindu society along caste lines to win elections, likening it to the British “divide and rule” policy. He also refuted claims made by Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao about Savarkar “consuming beef,” stating that these were false and that he would file a defamation suit against Rao.
Doubts Revealed
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is a prominent Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is also a Member of Parliament (MP) in India.
Pune Court -: Pune Court refers to the legal court located in Pune, a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Courts are places where legal cases are heard and decided.
Defamation Case -: A defamation case is a legal action taken when someone believes their reputation has been harmed by false statements made by another person.
Savarkar’s Grandnephew -: Savarkar’s grandnephew refers to Satyaki Savarkar, who is a relative of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a famous Indian freedom fighter and nationalist.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar -: Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, and writer known for his role in the Indian independence movement.
Section 202, CrPC -: Section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in India allows a court to postpone the issue of process against the accused and order an investigation to determine if there is sufficient ground for proceeding.
Ranjit Savarkar -: Ranjit Savarkar is another relative of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who is involved in defending Savarkar’s reputation against alleged false claims.
Karnataka Health Minister -: The Karnataka Health Minister is a government official responsible for health-related matters in the Indian state of Karnataka. Dinesh Gundu Rao is the current minister.
