Overview

• The Supreme Court stayed the summons issued by a Lucknow court in a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi for his 2022 remarks on VD Savarkar.
• A bench led by Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan criticized Gandhi's comments as 'irresponsible' and warned of suo motu action if repeated.
• The defamation case stems from Gandhi's statement during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he referred to Savarkar as a 'British servant' who received a pension.
• The court emphasized the reverence for Savarkar in Maharashtra and reminded Gandhi of the need for caution in discussing historical figures.
• Notices were issued to the Uttar Pradesh government and complainant Nripendra Pandey, with the case scheduled for further hearings in eight weeks.