In the Pune MP/MLA Court, Rahul Gandhi’s counsel expressed fears of physical harm and political pressure, citing threats from BJP leaders and the complainant’s alleged links to Savarkar and Godse families. The defence urged the court to stay alert to “forces, influences, and extraordinary circumstances” surrounding the case.
Pune: On August 13, in the ongoing criminal defamation case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Savarkar, the Special MP/MLA Court in Pune noted a “pursis” (a written statement) filed by Gandhi’s lawyer expressing fears about his safety and possible political pressure.
Advocate Milind Pawar, who is representing Gandhi, told the court that his client’s fears have grown stronger after he took a public stand against what he described as “vote theft.”
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The written submission pointed out that BJP leader R.N. Bittu had called Gandhi a “terrorist,” while another BJP leader, Tarvinder Marwah, warned that Gandhi could “meet the same fate as his grandmother” if he did not “behave.”
The statement also highlighted that the complainant in the case, Satyaki, has family connections to both the Savarkar and Godse families. According to the defence, such connections could allow “political and ideological influence” to be misused.
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The pursis read,
“In light of the documented history of violent and anti-constitutional tendencies linked to the complainant’s lineage, and considering the current political climate, there exists a substantial and reasonable apprehension that Gandhi may face physical harm, wrongful implication, or other forms of targeting by adherents of Vinayak Savarkar’s ideology,”
The defence further told the court that Gandhi still has complete trust in the judiciary but requested the court to remain alert to the “forces, influences, and extraordinary circumstances” around the case.
It also claimed that the complainant himself has stated that he is a descendant of associates of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassins, adding a cautionary note that
“history must not be permitted to repeat itself.”
The pursis accused followers of the complainant’s ideological predecessors of
“spreading caste and religious hatred, manipulating elections, and advancing the interests of certain industrialists over the welfare of the poor.”
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It added that
“Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, continues to oppose such policies and advocate for the rights of the poor and marginalised. Accordingly, it cannot be ruled out that caste-based extremists, politically motivated industrialists, Hindutva supporters, and those seeking to undermine constitutional governance may harbour animosity towards him.”
The plea ended by warning that the complainant might try to use the current political climate to put “undue influence” on the court’s proceedings.
Case Title:
Satyaki Savarkar v. Rahul Gandhi
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