SC slams Rahul Gandhi over Savarkar remarks, stays criminal case
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his "irresponsible" remarks about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, stating, "Let's not mock our freedom fighters."
However, the court stayed the criminal proceedings against him in a case filed in Uttar Pradesh over these comments.
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan issued a warning to Gandhi, advising him to refrain from making similar statements in the future, as the apex court might take suo motu cognisance of such remarks.
The bench questioned senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on whether Gandhi was aware that even Mahatma Gandhi had used phrases like "your faithful servant" in his communications with the British.
The Supreme Court issued notices to complainant Nripendra Pandey, who had filed a case accusing Rahul Gandhi of "intentionally" insulting Savarkar during a rally, as well as to the Uttar Pradesh government, seeking their responses to Gandhi's plea.
Rahul Gandhi approached the apex court to challenge an Allahabad High Court order that had declined to quash the summons issued against him in the case.
A case invoking various penal provisions, including charges of 'promoting enmity between classes' and 'public mischief', was filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by Pandey, a lawyer by profession.
The case originates from Gandhi's remarks about Savarkar during his Bharat Jodo Yatra on November 17, 2022, at a rally held in Akola, Maharashtra.
(inputs from PTI)
