Pune Police: Rahul Gandhi’s Statements on Savarkar Unfounded, Defamatory

Pune, 28th May 2024: An inquiry by the Pune city police has found that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi defamed freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar during a speech to the “Indian Diaspora in London” in March 2023. The findings were submitted on Monday to the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Akshi Jain in Pune, following a criminal defamation complaint filed by Savarkar’s kin.

“The JMFC court will pass an order on May 30 as per Section 204 of the CrPC (issue of process) regarding Rahul Gandhi’s appearance before it,” said advocate Sangram Kolhatkar, who represents the complainant, Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of Vinayak Savarkar.

In April 2023, Satyaki filed a complaint after Rahul Gandhi allegedly made defamatory remarks about Vinayak Savarkar during an event in London on March 5, 2023. Satyaki submitted news reports and a YouTube video link of Gandhi’s speech as evidence.

According to Satyaki, Rahul Gandhi falsely claimed that Savarkar had written about beating up a Muslim with friends and taking delight in it. Satyaki stated, “Rahul Gandhi then went on to ask whether this was not a cowardly act. But Savarkar has not written any such book, nor has such an incident ever happened. Hence, I filed a defamation case.”

In his petition, Satyaki accused Gandhi of intentionally making false, malicious, and wild allegations against Savarkar to harm his reputation. Satyaki demanded the maximum punishment under Section 500 (Punishment for defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and maximum compensation under Section 357 (Order to pay compensation) of the CrPC.

After recording statements from Satyaki and two witnesses, the JMFC court directed the Pune city police in January 2024 to conduct an inquiry under Section 202 of the CrPC and submit a report by February 23. The Vishrambag police station then initiated the inquiry.

However, the police requested more time, informing the court on April 2, 2024, that YouTube had not provided information about the video link despite repeated requests. The court granted an extension until May 27.

Assistant Police Inspector Tukaram Nimbalkar of the Vishrambag police station submitted the inquiry report to the JMFC court on Monday. The report concluded that Rahul Gandhi defamed Vinayak Savarkar during his London speech by making statements not found in any of Savarkar’s books.