A Special MP/MLA Court in Mumbai has dismissed a plea seeking cancellation of bail and strict legal action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with an ongoing criminal defamation case related to his alleged derogatory remarks against freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The order was passed by Special Judge Amol Shinde on May 28, 2025, who noted that the accusations against Gandhi do not justify cancellation of his bail or further punitive action at this stage. The court held that there was no evidence to show that Gandhi was intentionally delaying the trial.
Application by Savarkar’s Grandson Dismissed
The plea for cancelling Gandhi’s bail was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of V.D. Savarkar, through his advocate Sangram Kolhatkar. The application alleged that Rahul Gandhi was deliberately prolonging the case and sought strict action, including seizure of his bail bonds.
However, in his detailed order, Judge Shinde observed:
“There are no sufficient reasons to seize the bail bonds of the accused. It is not found that the accused is prolonging the matter. The grounds mentioned in the application are not justified to take strict action against the accused.”
Background of the Case: Alleged Defamation of Vinayak Savarkar
The case stems from statements made by Rahul Gandhi during a March 5, 2023, speech delivered in the United Kingdom, where he allegedly made false and defamatory remarks against Vinayak Savarkar.
The complaint claims that Gandhi falsely alleged that Savarkar had written about beating up a Muslim person in one of his books—an allegation which, according to the complainant, is entirely fabricated and never documented in Savarkar’s writings.
Although the alleged defamatory statements were made abroad, Satyaki Savarkar contended that their impact was felt in Pune, as they were widely published and circulated across India. He further stated that the remarks caused mental distress to his family and were made with the intent to harm Savarkar’s reputation.
Legal Proceedings and Court’s Observations
Rahul Gandhi had appeared virtually before the special court and was granted bail on January 10, 2025. The court had also allowed a request for permanent exemption from personal appearance, considering the nature of the case.
The defamation case is being pursued under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which provides for punishment for defamation, and seeks maximum compensation under Section 357 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
Previously, the court had accepted Gandhi’s application to convert the trial from summary to summons format, allowing the defense to introduce historical context and documentary evidence in the proceedings.
What Lies Ahead
With the rejection of the plea seeking cancellation of bail, the defamation trial against Rahul Gandhi will continue in its regular course. The case remains significant due to its political and historical sensitivity, as it touches upon the legacy of a prominent freedom fighter and the implications of public speech made by political leaders on foreign soil.
