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2w ago

Pune Court Blocks Demand for Rahul Gandhi’s Book in Savarkar Defamation Case

The court invoked Article 20(3) of the Constitution to protect Gandhi from self-incrimination without requiring him to disclose evidence before trial.

The complaint alleged that Rahul Gandhi had made false and defamatory statements during his 2023 London speech, including a claim that Savarkar had written about enjoying assaulting a Muslim man in his book. (HT FILE)

Overview

  • A special MP/MLA court in Pune on July 3 rejected Satyaki Savarkar’s plea to compel Rahul Gandhi to produce a book cited in his March 2023 London speech.
  • Judicial Magistrate Amol Shriram Shinde ruled that forcing the defence to disclose materials pre-trial would violate Gandhi’s right against self-incrimination.
  • The order emphasized that the complainant bears the entire burden of proof and must establish a prima facie case before any defence evidence is presented.
  • Satyaki Savarkar filed the May application after asserting that no such book existed and seeking its production to substantiate his defamation claim.
  • With defence safeguards upheld, the case will proceed toward trial without premature disclosure of Gandhi’s source materials.