Lucknow Court Imposes ₹200 Fine on Rahul Gandhi for Non-Appearance in Vinayak Savarkar Defamation Case

In a defamation case related to remarks made by Rahul Gandhi about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a Lucknow court has imposed a fine of ₹200 on the Congress leader for his non-appearance in court. The case stems from derogatory comments Gandhi made against Savarkar during his 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra rally in Maharashtra.

Background of the Case

The case was filed after Gandhi allegedly referred to Savarkar as a British collaborator who had received a pension from the British. These remarks were reportedly made in a speech and pamphlets during the rally in November 2022. Gandhi’s statement, which was said to spread hatred and ill-will, led to the filing of a complaint by Advocate Nripendra Pandey, who accused Gandhi of causing social discord.

Court's Observations

In December 2024, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Alok Verma observed that Gandhi’s remarks, which labeled Savarkar as a British servant, could potentially stir animosity in society. The court found a prima facie case against Gandhi and summoned him to appear before the court. However, Gandhi failed to appear on March 5, 2025, prompting the court to impose a ₹200 fine for his absence.

Legal Charges Against Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi is facing charges under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC):

• Section 153A: Promoting enmity between different groups
• Section 505: Public mischief

Next Steps in the Case

The complaint by Pandey alleged that Gandhi’s comments were inciting hatred and social discord. Despite the initial dismissal of the case in June 2023 by Magistrate Ambrish Kumar Srivastava, the sessions court allowed the challenge, leading to the case being remanded back to the Magistrate court. The court then issued summons to Gandhi, which he has yet to comply with.

The case continues as the court monitors Gandhi's responses and future appearances.