Pune Court Rejects Rahul Gandhi’s Plea in Savarkar Defamation Case
A Pune Court’s Significant Ruling on a Defamation Case
A Pune court recently made an important decision. They ruled that looking into the family ties between Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar and MK Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse was not necessary. This ruling is part of a defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
How the Case Began
The case started in April 2023. Satyaki Savarkar, the grand-nephew of VD Savarkar, filed a complaint against Rahul Gandhi. He accused Gandhi of making false and harmful remarks about VD Savarkar.
Gandhi’s Request and the Court’s Decision
During the case, Rahul Gandhi asked for details about Satyaki Savarkar’s family tree. Gandhi claimed that Satyaki hid important facts about his maternal side. He said that Satyaki is the grandson of Gopal Vinayak Godse, the brother of Nathuram Godse.
However, Judge Amol Shriram Shinde rejected this request. The judge said that the case had nothing to do with the complainant’s family tree. It was not relevant to the matter being discussed.
The Judge’s Clear Order
The order from May 28 clearly stated:
- The case is not about the family tree of late Smt. Himani Ashok Savarkar (Satyaki Savarkar’s mother).
- The court does not see any value in the request made by the accused.
- The request is to be rejected.
What the Case is Really About
The judge made it clear that the case is only about the alleged defamatory speech made by Gandhi in London against VD Savarkar. The complainant, Satyaki Savarkar, must prove that Gandhi made defamatory statements.
Case Converted to Summons Trial
In April, the Pune court agreed to Rahul Gandhi’s request to turn the defamation case into a summons trial. This allows for detailed evidence and cross-examination. Gandhi argued that his remarks were based on historical facts.
