Fri Jul 25 07:28:28 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Supreme Court of India has extended the stay on a summons issued to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case. The case stems from remarks Gandhi made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra, where he allegedly made derogatory comments about Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar. The court, headed by Justice Dipankar Datta, questioned the basis of Gandhi’s statements, particularly concerning Savarkar’s communication with British authorities. The court emphasized the importance of respecting freedom fighters and has given the complainant time to respond to Gandhi’s challenge. Gandhi argues that the proceedings infringe upon his freedom of expression and are politically motivated. The trial court initially summoned Gandhi for promoting enmity and public mischief through his speech.
**News Article:**
**Supreme Court Extends Stay on Summons for Rahul Gandhi in Savarkar Defamation Case**
**NEW DELHI – July 25, 2025** – The Supreme Court today extended the stay on a summons issued to Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case related to his remarks about V.D. Savarkar, a Hindutva ideologue. The case originates from statements Gandhi made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Maharashtra last year.
A bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta questioned the Congress leader’s justification for the allegedly derogatory comments, particularly concerning Savarkar’s communications with British authorities. Justice Datta pointed to historical context, even raising whether Gandhi was aware Mahatma Gandhi and his grandmother Indira Gandhi had in the past made use of the same honorific title Savarkar used when speaking to British officials. The court cautioned against disparaging freedom fighters.
The complainant, Nripendra Pandey, has been given two weeks to respond to Gandhi’s challenge to the summons.
Gandhi argues that the defamation proceedings are politically motivated and infringe upon his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression. He maintains that the remarks made were within the bounds of legitimate political discourse.
The initial trial court summons stemmed from a speech where Gandhi allegedly portrayed Savarkar as a servant of the British, an act deemed to promote enmity and public mischief under the Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court will review the case further in four weeks.
First Piper 