Rahul Gandhi Pleads Not Guilty in Savarkar Defamation Case

GG News Bureau
Pune, 11th July: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday pleaded not guilty through his lawyer in a criminal defamation case related to his remarks about Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The case, filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of VD Savarkar, is being heard in a special MP/MLA court in Pune.

Appearing before Judicial Magistrate Amol Sriram Shinde, Gandhi’s lawyer Milind Pawar responded to the formal charge by stating, “No, I do not plead guilty,” on behalf of his client. Gandhi was not present in court due to a prior permanent exemption granted to him from personal appearance.

Charges Stem from 2023 London Remarks
The defamation complaint was filed in April 2023, following Gandhi’s speech during his visit to London, where he allegedly said that VD Savarkar wrote about feeling happy after he and his associates beat up a Muslim man.

Satyaki Savarkar contends that the comment was false, malicious, and defamatory, aiming to insult the legacy of the freedom fighter and Hindutva icon.

Advocate Sangram Kolhatkar, representing the complainant, said the court has now completed the plea-recording phase, and the trial will proceed. “We will produce witnesses and evidence. The defence will have the opportunity to cross-examine them,” he said.

Next Hearing on July 29
The judge confirmed that all documents and charges had been received and understood by the defence. The next hearing is scheduled for July 29, when the court is expected to begin examining evidence.