Court Dismisses Savarkar Grandnephew's Plea for Book in Rahul Gandhi Case

A local court has turned down a petition by Satyaki Savarkar, seeking to compel Rahul Gandhi to produce a book he allegedly referenced in defamatory remarks about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The special court for MPs and MLAs, led by judge Amol Shinde, sided with Gandhi, stating he cannot be obligated to evidence his defense prematurely.

Savarkar, the complainant, had claimed in his May application that the book cited by Gandhi did not exist and sought its presentation if it did. However, the court emphasized the accused's rights, asserting that revealing the defense ahead of trial would infringe upon Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which protects against self-incrimination.

The case stems from a defamation complaint filed by Satyaki Savarkar, who objected to Gandhi's March 2023 speech in London. Gandhi allegedly quoted V D Savarkar recounting violence against a Muslim man in a non-existent book. The court upheld that no order could compel the accused to submit incriminating documents.

(With inputs from agencies.)