Rahul Gandhi Claims Life Threat During Savarkar Defamation Case Hearing, Seeks 'Preventive Protection'

Last Updated:August 13, 2025, 19:13 IST

Rahul Gandhi told a Pune Court of a life threat due to his political battles and the lineage of complainant Satyaki Savarkar in a defamation case, citing threats from BJP MPs.

The case stems from alleged defamatory remarks Gandhi made about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar during a speech. (File)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday informed a Pune Court that he faces a threat to life, given his recent political battles and the lineage of complainant Satyaki Savarkar in the defamation case against him.

The Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition made the claim in an application before the special court for cases against MPs and MLAs during the hearing of a defamation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar, grand-nephew of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, against the Congress leader, news agency PTI reported.

The case, the trial of which is yet to start, pertains to certain comments allegedly made by Rahul Gandhi against V D Savarkar, freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue.

Gandhi alleged that some BJP MPs threatened him that he would “meet the same fate" as his grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, for his remarks against Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

The application — filed before Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Amol Shinde by Gandhi’s lawyer Adv Milind Pawar — said that complainant Satyaki Savarkar had admitted that he is also a direct descendant, through maternal lineage, of Nathuram Godse and Gopal Godse, principal accused in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

Pawar said that the Congress party has filed a separate application in court to place certain important developments on judicial record so that the entire political and historical context can be seen as a whole.

“For the past 15 days, our client Rahul Gandhi has been leading a protest against the Election Commission. While this agitation was ongoing during the parliament session, there was a verbal exchange between the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi over the word ‘Hindutva’ – all of which is on record," the Congress MP’s lawyer said.

Gandhi is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and recently held a press conference in New Delhi, placing before the nation evidence of electoral fraud by the Election Commission, the application said.

“In light of the documented history of violent and anti-constitutional tendencies linked to the complainant’s lineage, and considering the prevailing political climate, there exists a clear, reasonable, and substantial apprehension that Rahul Gandhi may face harm, wrongful implication, or other forms of targeting by persons subscribing to the ideology of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar," the application stated.

The court has already granted bail to Gandhi in the case.

Reacting to the plea, Satyaki Savarkar said it was frivolous, and filed with the intention of delaying the trial. "The facts mentioned in the application by Gandhi have nothing to do with the present case," he told reporters.

Satyaki Savarkar has filed a complaint against Gandhi, alleging that in a speech made in London in March 2023, the Congress leader claimed that V D Savarkar had written in a book that he and five to six of his friends once beat up a Muslim man and he (Savarkar) felt happy.

She disputed the existence of such an account in Savarkar’s published works and moved the Court contending the remarks were false, misleading and defamatory. She has sought Gandhi’s conviction under Section 500 IPC and compensation under Section 357 CrPC.

(With inputs from agencies)

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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August 13, 2025, 19:13 IST

News india Rahul Gandhi Claims Life Threat During Savarkar Defamation Case Hearing, Seeks 'Preventive Protection'

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