DefamationCase – Nashik Court Closes Complaint Against Rahul Gandhi Over Savarkar Remarks
DefamationCase – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi received legal relief on Wednesday after a court in Nashik closed a defamation complaint filed against him over remarks concerning Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. The case was disposed of after the complainant chose to withdraw the petition, bringing an end to the proceedings related to the matter.
Court Ends Proceedings After Complaint Withdrawal
The order was passed by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate R C Narwadia. The court concluded the case once the complainant voluntarily withdrew the complaint that had accused Gandhi of making defamatory statements about Savarkar.
The development effectively ends the criminal proceedings that had been initiated against the Congress leader in connection with statements he made during his nationwide Bharat Jodo Yatra. The remarks had drawn criticism from supporters of Savarkar and led to legal complaints in several parts of the country.
Earlier Court Orders and Review Petition
The legal matter had earlier moved through several stages before reaching this outcome. Initially, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate had directed that legal process be issued against Gandhi after reviewing the complaint.
Following that order, Gandhi’s legal team filed a criminal review petition in the Nashik sessions court challenging the decision. After examining the plea, the sessions court partially accepted the review application.
The sessions court set aside the earlier directive to issue the process against Gandhi and instructed the magistrate court to reconsider whether further proceedings were necessary in the original complaint.
Police Report Submitted Under CrPC
As part of the reconsideration process, the magistrate sought a report from the Sarkarwada police station under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This provision allows a magistrate to request a preliminary inquiry or investigation before deciding whether a case should proceed further.
After reviewing the report submitted by the police and considering the status of the complaint, the complainant decided to withdraw the case. With the complaint no longer being pursued, the court formally disposed of the matter.
Legal View From Gandhi’s Counsel
Senior advocate Jayant Jaibhave, who was associated with the case, said that the complaint lacked sufficient legal and factual basis. According to him, the complainant likely withdrew the case after the sessions court’s order in the review petition.
He stated that once the court examined the matter in detail and the review order was passed, there appeared to be no substantial grounds for continuing further investigation or proceedings.
Background of the Controversy
The complaint was linked to remarks made by Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. During one of his public addresses, Gandhi had claimed that V D Savarkar had apologised to the British authorities during India’s freedom struggle.
The comment triggered strong reactions from several Savarkar supporters and organisations. Multiple complaints and legal cases were filed against Gandhi in different cities across the country over the same remarks.
One of those complaints was filed in Nashik by an organisation known as the Nirbhaya Foundation, which alleged that the statement had defamed Savarkar.
Gandhi Appeared in Court During Hearings
During the course of the proceedings, Rahul Gandhi was required to appear before the court in Nashik for hearings related to the case. According to court records, he attended the hearings on two occasions as part of the legal process.
With the complainant now withdrawing the case, the Nashik court has formally ended the proceedings, bringing closure to this particular defamation complaint linked to the Bharat Jodo Yatra remarks.