Rahul Gandhi Pleads Not Guilty in Defamation Case Against Hindutva Ideologue VD Savarkar

Strategic Insights -

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has pleaded not guilty in a defamation case filed against him over his remarks about Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar. The case, filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of VD Savarkar, stems from a speech Gandhi delivered in London in March 2023, in which he allegedly claimed that Savarkar had written about assaulting a Muslim man. The court has recorded Gandhi's not guilty plea, and the case will now proceed to the trial stage. The next hearing is scheduled for July 29.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rahul Gandhi pleaded not guilty in a defamation case filed against him over his remarks about VD Savarkar.
  • The case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of VD Savarkar, under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
  • Gandhi allegedly claimed that Savarkar had written about assaulting a Muslim man during a speech in London in March 2023.
  • Satyaki Savarkar denied the existence of such a passage in any of his ancestor's writings and termed Gandhi's remarks as "false, misleading, and defamatory".
  • The court has recorded Gandhi's not guilty plea, and the case will now proceed to the trial stage.
  • The next hearing is scheduled for July 29.
  • Gandhi's counsel, Advocate Milind Pawar, filed an application seeking exemption for his client from appearing personally in court to record his plea.
  • The defamation case has been ongoing since the complaint was filed by Satyaki Savarkar.

Statistics:

  • The case was filed under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
  • Gandhi's alleged statement was made during a speech in London in March 2023.
  • The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 29.
  • The trial stage of the case will now proceed.
  • Satyaki Savarkar has filed a private criminal defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi.

Sources:

  • "Rahul Gandhi pleads not guilty in defamation case against Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar" - published by HT Pune.
  • HT Digital Content Services.