Pune Court Grants Rahul Gandhi Permanent Exemption In Defamation Case
Pune Court Grants Rahul Gandhi Permanent Exemption In Defamation Case
A Pune court has granted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi permanent exemption from appearing in a defamation case related to his remarks on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar during a speech in London in March 2023.
Previously, Gandhi had appeared via video conferencing and was granted temporary bail on a surety bond of ₹25,000. His counsel had filed an application citing security concerns, highlighting that Pune was the hometown of Nathuram Godse and referencing past threats to the Gandhi family.
The case was initiated by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of VD Savarkar, who alleged that Gandhi’s remarks were defamatory. Judicial Magistrate Milind Shinde, while granting the exemption, stated that Gandhi could not object to evidence recorded in his absence. However, the court mandated that his legal counsel be present at every hearing.
Gandhi’s advocate, Milind Pawar, had also requested that the case be converted from a summary trial to a summons trial to allow for a more detailed cross-examination and the submission of relevant government documents.
