Defamation Case – Court Asked to Seek Rahul Gandhi Voice Sample
Defamation Case – A fresh development has emerged in the defamation proceedings linked to comments made about Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, with his grandnephew Satyaki Savarkar approaching a local court to request the collection of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s voice samples. The application has been filed as part of an ongoing criminal complaint alleging defamatory statements made during a speech abroad.
Application Filed in Special Court
The plea was submitted on Tuesday before Judicial Magistrate (First Class) A A Shinde, who presides over the MP/MLA Special Court. Representing Satyaki Savarkar, advocate Sangram Kolhatkar argued that voice samples from Rahul Gandhi are essential for a proper evaluation of certain electronic evidence already placed on record.
According to the application, the complainant has furnished material intended to establish the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. However, the petition maintains that the authentication of audio and video recordings forms a crucial component of the case. To ensure accurate adjudication, it requests that the court direct the accused to provide his voice samples before an appropriate authority.
In addition, the application seeks instructions for the Forensic Science Laboratory to conduct a scientific comparison between the collected voice samples and the recordings submitted as evidence. The outcome of such an examination, the plea suggests, would help the court determine the authenticity and relevance of the electronic material.
Background of the Defamation Complaint
The complaint dates back to 2023, when Satyaki Savarkar approached the magistrate’s court over remarks allegedly made by Rahul Gandhi during a speech in London. In that address, Gandhi reportedly stated that V D Savarkar had written in a book about an incident in which he and several associates assaulted a Muslim man and that he felt pleased about it.
Satyaki Savarkar’s complaint asserts that no such account exists in the writings of V D Savarkar. The petition claims the statement was factually incorrect and harmed the reputation of the late revolutionary, prompting legal action under defamation provisions.
The matter has since been under judicial consideration, with both sides presenting their submissions before the court.
Cross-Examination Begins
On the same day the application for voice samples was filed, proceedings in the case also saw the commencement of cross-examination. Advocate Milind Pawar, appearing on behalf of Rahul Gandhi, began questioning Satyaki Savarkar in court.
The cross-examination is expected to examine the basis of the allegations, the authenticity of the materials cited, and the context of the speech delivered abroad. Legal observers note that disputes involving electronic evidence often hinge on technical verification, making forensic examination a significant aspect of such proceedings.
Focus on Electronic Evidence
The latest application highlights the growing importance of digital records in court cases. Audio and video recordings, particularly those sourced from public speeches, frequently become central to disputes involving alleged defamatory remarks. Establishing whether the recordings are genuine and accurately represent the accused’s statements is a procedural necessity before further legal conclusions can be drawn.
The court will now consider the request for voice samples and decide whether such a direction is warranted under applicable legal provisions. Its ruling on this procedural aspect could influence the next steps in the case.
As the matter progresses, the proceedings remain focused on determining whether the statements attributed to Rahul Gandhi constitute defamation and whether they can be substantiated through verified evidence. The case continues to draw attention due to its political context and the historical significance of the figure at its center.