SC Extends Stay on Rahul Gandhi’s Savarkar Case Summons
The Supreme Court on Thursday extended the stay on the summons issued to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a magistrate court in Maharashtra in a defamation case concerning his remarks on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The case stems from Gandhi’s statement during a rally in which he allegedly said, “Savarkar wrote mercy petitions to the British.” The comment drew backlash from political opponents who accused him of defaming a national figure.
Background of the Defamation Complaint
The original complaint was filed in Maharashtra in 2023 by a political activist. The complainant argued that Gandhi’s comments were not only historically inaccurate but also damaging to Savarkar’s legacy. Based on this complaint, a magistrate court had summoned Gandhi to appear and respond to the charges.
Legal Challenge and High Court Refusal
Gandhi challenged the summons in the Bombay High Court, seeking to quash the defamation proceedings. However, the High Court declined to intervene, prompting Gandhi to appeal to the Supreme Court. His legal team has maintained that the remarks were made in a political context and should not attract criminal defamation charges.
Apex Court’s Stand on Free Speech
A bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai continued the stay on the magistrate’s order, offering temporary relief to Gandhi. The Supreme Court observed that it would examine the broader question of whether political comments made during campaigns can be criminalized as defamation. It also hinted at evaluating the threshold for such complaints, especially in matters of public discourse.
The case will be heard further at a later date. The stay on proceedings will remain in effect until then, shielding Gandhi from immediate legal consequences.
