Rahul Gandhi claims threat to life during Savarkar defamation case hearing, urges state for 'preventive protection'
Rahul Gandhi has expressed concerns about his safety in a Pune court, citing recent political conflicts and the complainant's lineage in a defamation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar. Gandhi requested the court to acknowledge these safety concerns and sought state protection.
PTI Rahul Gandhi Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday informed a Pune Court that he faces threat to life in view of his recent political battles and the lineage of complainant Satyaki Savarkar in the defamation case against him. He urged the special MP/MLA court, which is hearing a defamation case, to take judicial notice of what he has described as 'grave apprehensions' to his safety and to the fairness of proceedings in the case, reported Bar and Bench.
He also sought "preventive protection" by State. The defamation case against the LoP was filed by Satyaki Savarkar after the former made a speech in London in March 2023, referring to an incident in Savarkar's writings where Savarkar and others purportedly assaulted a Muslim man and found it 'pleasurable.'
Satyaki Savarkar disputed the existence of such an account in Savarkar's published works and moved the Court contending the remarks were false, misleading and defamatory. He has sought Gandhi's conviction under Section 500 IPC and compensation under Section 357 CrPC. The Court will next hear the matter on September 10.
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