The Supreme Court on Friday extended its interim stay on the summons issued to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case concerning his alleged remarks against freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The bench, led by Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih, granted the extension while adjourning the case for four weeks.
In November 2022, Rahul Gandhi allegedly made defamatory comments about Savarkar during a rally in Maharashtra’s Akola as part of his Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The remarks triggered a criminal defamation case filed by advocate Nripendra Pandey.
The court directed the complainant to file a reply within two weeks and allowed Rahul Gandhi to submit a rejoinder affidavit, if necessary, within two weeks thereafter.
The court had initially granted interim relief to Gandhi on April 25.
During earlier proceedings, the Supreme Court cautioned Rahul Gandhi against making irresponsible remarks, especially about freedom fighters.
The bench stated, “Any further statement and we will take suo motu action! We will not allow you to speak about our freedom fighters. They have given us freedom, and this is how we treat them?”
Following this warning, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, gave an oral assurance that the Congress leader would refrain from such comments. The court then stayed the lower court’s order summoning Gandhi under Sections 153-A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Earlier, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court declined to quash the proceedings against Gandhi.
Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, in his April 4 order, noted that Gandhi had the statutory option to file a revision petition instead.
The defamation case includes charges under IPC Sections 153-A and 505. Section 153-A addresses the promotion of enmity between groups based on religion, race, or caste, while Section 505 pertains to statements that could incite public mischief.
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