Rahul Gandhi Pleads Not Guilty in Savarkar Defamation Case; Trial to Begin July 29

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday pleaded not guilty before a Pune court in a defamation case linked to his remarks about Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

The plea was entered before Judicial Magistrate (First Class) and Special Judge for MP/MLA cases, Amol Sriram Shinde, at the Pune District Court. Advocate Milind Pawar represented Gandhi, who was not present in person for the hearing.

The defamation case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of V.D. Savarkar, alleging that Rahul Gandhi made defamatory remarks about the freedom fighter during a 2023 Overseas Congress event in the UK. The comments were later circulated on social media, which, according to the complaint, harmed Savarkar’s legacy and caused emotional distress to his family.

Judge Shinde read out the charge under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code. Advocate Pawar confirmed that Gandhi had received the complaint and related documents and understood the nature of the allegations. Asked if he wished to plead guilty, Pawar, on Gandhi’s behalf, stated: “No. I do not plead guilty.”

With the plea formally recorded, the court has scheduled July 29 for the commencement of evidence recording. A hearing on related applications will also be held on the same date.

The case stems from Rahul Gandhi’s comments at a March 5, 2023, event in London. Satyaki Savarkar filed the complaint in April that year, alleging Gandhi’s statements were deliberately false and damaging, aimed at defaming Savarkar and causing mental agony to his descendants.