'Irresponsible remarks against freedom fighters:' SC slams Rahul Gandhi, stays summons on comment against Savarkar

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his controversial remarks against 'Veer' Savarkar by categorically telling him to desist from making further derogatory remarks against the freedom fighters.

"Is this the way you treat your freedom fighters. Let him not make any irresponsible statement. a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan told senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, while staying the trial court's summons issued against him in a defamation case.

The court told the counsel that Savarkar is worshipped in Maharashtra and Rahul Gandhi should not make such statement as he is a political leader of a party.

"Does your client know Mahatma Gandhi also used "your faithful servant" while addressing the Viceroy? Does your client know that his grandmother, when she was the Prime Minister, also sent a letter praising the gentleman. You don't treat freedom fighters like this when you know the history. Why do you comment like this," the bench asked the counsel, saying it would stay the defamation proceedings against him but restrain from making any further such statement.

In a warning to him, the bench said, "Let's be clear, any further statement and we will take suo moto and no question of sanction. We will not allow you to speak anything about the freedom fighters. They have given us freedom".

Strongly disapproving the statement made by the Congress leader, the court made it categorically clear to him that he would face consequences if he made such remarks in future.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi approached the Supreme Court, challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court which refused to quash the summons against him in a case of defamatory remarks against Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

During his Bharat Jodo Yatra at a rally in Maharashtra's Akola district, on November 17, 2022, Gandhi had allegedly commented that Savarkar was a British servant who received a pension.

Aggrieved by this comment, advocate Nripendra Pandey had filed a complaint against Gandhi in December, 2024 in the Lucknow court, which issued summons to Gandhi. 

The court had said his remarks had spread hatred and ill-will in society.

Rahul Gandhi moved the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad HC, which also rejected his plea.

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had on April 4, 2025 refused to entertain Gandhi’s plea after observing that he has the option to approach the sessions judge with a plea under Section 397 (power to revise trial court’s order) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Advocate Pandey, in his complaint, accused Gandhi of intentionally insulting Savarkar during the rally.

The complainant alleged Gandhi's remarks were part of a well-planned conspiracy to defame Savarkar.