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The defence counsel representing Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has opposed a plea seeking his voice sample in the Vinayak Damodar Savarkar defamation case being heard in a Pune court.
The Rahul Gandhi voice sample plea was challenged by defence counsel Advocate Milind D Pawar, who argued that the court has not yet reached the stage of determining whether the alleged speech was actually delivered by Gandhi with defamatory intent.
According to the defence, obtaining a voice sample at this stage would therefore be unnecessary. The Pune special MP/MLA court has directed the defence to submit its formal response to the application by September 1.
The development comes during ongoing proceedings in the defamation case filed by Satyaki Savarkar against Rahul Gandhi over remarks allegedly made about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
Defence Says Voice Sample Plea Is Premature
The central argument against the Rahul Gandhi voice sample application is that the court has not yet examined the relevant defence concerning the speech and the alleged intention behind it.
Speaking to ANI, Advocate Milind Pawar said the cross-examination of complainant Satyaki Savarkar is currently underway. He argued that the question of whether Gandhi actually delivered the speech in question and whether it was made with defamatory intent has not yet been reached in the proceedings.
Pawar maintained that a voice sample should not be sought before the court reaches that stage.
The defence’s position is that the application is premature because the evidentiary issues surrounding the alleged speech have not yet been fully addressed.
The court has accepted the defence’s request for the time being and directed the lawyers to submit a formal response by September 1.
What Is the Savarkar Defamation Case?
The case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by Satyaki Savarkar, a relative of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The complaint relates to remarks Gandhi reportedly made during an Overseas Congress event in London on March 5, 2023.
Satyaki Savarkar alleged that Gandhi’s comments about V.D. Savarkar were defamatory and damaged the reputation of the freedom fighter and his family.
A defamation complaint was initially registered before a Magistrate Court in Pune in April 2023 and was subsequently taken up before the Special MP/MLA Court.
The proceedings have since continued through evidence and cross-examination.
The latest application seeking a Rahul Gandhi voice sample represents another development in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Satyaki Savarkar’s Cross-Examination Continues
The Rahul Gandhi voice sample controversy emerged while Satyaki Savarkar’s cross-examination was continuing before Judicial Magistrate First Class Amol Shriram Shinde in the special MP/MLA court in Pune.
According to the defence, the complainant’s chief examination was completed on December 31, 2025.
The cross-examination by Gandhi’s legal team is now underway.
During the proceedings, Satyaki Savarkar reportedly made statements concerning the historical relationship between the Savarkar and Godse families.
The defence referred to these statements while opposing the application for a voice sample.
Court Hears Statements About Savarkar and Godse Families
During his deposition, Satyaki Savarkar reportedly stated that his grandfathers Gopal Godse and Nathuram Godse were active members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
He also stated that Gopal Godse was his maternal grandfather and that Sindhu Godse was his maternal grandmother. His mother was Himani Savarkar.
Satyaki further stated that the Savarkar and Godse families were related and had a historical background.
However, he also indicated that he did not have complete information about that historical background or whether records concerning both families were available in government archives.
These statements formed part of the cross-examination in the ongoing proceedings.
Details About the Hindu Mahasabha
During the court proceedings, Satyaki Savarkar also discussed the Hindu Mahasabha.
According to the deposition, he described the Hindu Mahasabha as a political party and stated that it was established by Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1915.
He further stated that Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was in the Andaman jail at the time.
Satyaki also gave statements concerning Savarkar’s release from imprisonment.
He denied the suggestion that the British had conditionally released Savarkar in 1924. He instead stated before the court that Savarkar was completely released in 1937.
These issues are part of the broader evidence being examined during the defamation proceedings.
Defence Challenges Need for Rahul Gandhi Voice Sample
The defence’s opposition to the Rahul Gandhi voice sample application centres on the timing of the request.
Advocate Milind Pawar argued that the court has not yet reached the stage where the defence would establish whether the alleged speech was actually delivered and whether there was an intention to defame.
The argument suggests that obtaining a voice sample before those questions are addressed could be premature.
The court has therefore asked the defence to file its formal response by September 1 before considering the application further.
The next stage of the proceedings will determine how the court deals with the complainant’s request.
Why the Voice Sample Is Being Sought
The application for a Rahul Gandhi voice sample appears to relate to establishing whether Gandhi delivered the speech that forms the basis of the defamation complaint.
The complainant’s case concerns remarks allegedly made by Gandhi during an event in London in March 2023.
The defence, however, has argued that the proceedings have not yet reached the stage where such a question needs to be addressed through a voice sample.
The court will consider the arguments of both sides before determining the next course of action.
Case Began After London Remarks
The defamation case dates back to 2023, following remarks reportedly made by Rahul Gandhi at an Overseas Congress event in London.
Satyaki Savarkar subsequently filed a complaint in Pune, alleging that Gandhi’s comments were false and damaging to the reputation of V.D. Savarkar.
According to the complaint, Gandhi’s statements were intended to tarnish Savarkar’s reputation and caused distress to the complainant and his family.
The case has since progressed through various stages, including examination and cross-examination of the complainant.
The latest Rahul Gandhi voice sample plea adds another legal issue for the court to consider as the proceedings continue.
Court Sets September 1 for Defence Response
The Pune special MP/MLA court has directed the defence to submit its formal response to the voice sample application by September 1.
This means the immediate focus will remain on the arguments presented by Gandhi’s legal team against the complainant’s request.
The court will subsequently consider the application and the defence’s objections.
The development is significant because the proceedings are still in the evidence and cross-examination stage, with several factual and legal questions remaining under consideration.
Rahul Gandhi Voice Sample: What Happens Next?
The next major development in the case is expected after the defence files its response to the Rahul Gandhi voice sample plea.
The court will then hear the respective arguments and determine whether a voice sample should be obtained.
The defence is maintaining that the application has been filed prematurely, while the complainant has sought the sample in connection with the alleged speech.
The court’s decision will determine whether the request becomes part of the evidentiary process in the defamation proceedings.
Meanwhile, cross-examination of Satyaki Savarkar is expected to continue.
Broader Significance of the Case
The case has attracted attention because it involves Rahul Gandhi and allegations concerning statements about one of India’s most prominent historical figures, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The ongoing proceedings are being closely watched as the court examines evidence and arguments from both sides.
The Rahul Gandhi voice sample plea is now another point of contention between the complainant and defence.
For now, the court has not made a final decision on the application. The defence has been given time to file its formal response, with September 1 set as the next important date concerning the plea.
The proceedings will continue as the court examines the evidence and legal arguments in the defamation case.
Key Takeaways
- The defence has opposed the Rahul Gandhi voice sample plea in the Pune defamation case.
- Advocate Milind Pawar argued that the request is premature.
- The defence said the court has not yet reached the stage of examining the alleged speech and its intent.
- The Pune special MP/MLA court has asked the defence to file its response by September 1.
- The case was filed by Satyaki Savarkar over Rahul Gandhi’s alleged remarks about V.D. Savarkar.
- Satyaki Savarkar’s cross-examination is currently underway.
- The proceedings include statements concerning the Savarkar and Godse families.
- The court is yet to decide whether a voice sample will be required.
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