NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday told a Pune court that he may face from the complainant in a defamation case related to his remarks against Savarkar.
In an application submitted to the court, Gandhi said that the complainant is a direct descendant of Nathuram Godse and that “preventive protection is not only prudent but is a constitutional obligation upon the State."
"Given the documented history of violent and anti-constitutional tendencies linked to the complainant’s lineage… there exists a clear, reasonable, and substantial apprehension that Shri Rahul Gandhi may face harm, wrongful implication, or other forms of targeting,” it was submitted.
“In view of the grave history associated with such lineage, the defence harbours a genuine and reasonable apprehension that history must not be permitted to repeat itself,” it added.
What is the case about?
The defamation case against Gandhi was filed by Satyaki Savarkar after the former made a speech in London in March 2023, referring to an incident in Savarkar’s writings where Savarkar and others purportedly assaulted a Muslim man and found it “pleasurable.”
Satyaki Savarkar disputed the existence of such an account in Savarkar’s published works and moved the court contending the remarks were false, misleading, and defamatory.
He has sought Gandhi’s conviction under Section 500 IPC and compensation under Section 357 CrPC.
The case stems from Gandhi's statement in London where he said: "They (Savarkar and his friends) beat up a Muslim and felt happy. If five people beat up one person and someone is getting happy, then this is cowardice. Fifteen people with Savarkarji are beating one person. This is also in their ideology."
In an application submitted to the court, Gandhi said that the complainant is a direct descendant of Nathuram Godse and that “preventive protection is not only prudent but is a constitutional obligation upon the State."
"Given the documented history of violent and anti-constitutional tendencies linked to the complainant’s lineage… there exists a clear, reasonable, and substantial apprehension that Shri Rahul Gandhi may face harm, wrongful implication, or other forms of targeting,” it was submitted.
“In view of the grave history associated with such lineage, the defence harbours a genuine and reasonable apprehension that history must not be permitted to repeat itself,” it added.
What is the case about?
The defamation case against Gandhi was filed by Satyaki Savarkar after the former made a speech in London in March 2023, referring to an incident in Savarkar’s writings where Savarkar and others purportedly assaulted a Muslim man and found it “pleasurable.”
Satyaki Savarkar disputed the existence of such an account in Savarkar’s published works and moved the court contending the remarks were false, misleading, and defamatory.
He has sought Gandhi’s conviction under Section 500 IPC and compensation under Section 357 CrPC.
The case stems from Gandhi's statement in London where he said: "They (Savarkar and his friends) beat up a Muslim and felt happy. If five people beat up one person and someone is getting happy, then this is cowardice. Fifteen people with Savarkarji are beating one person. This is also in their ideology."
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