Special Judge Amol S. Shinde, responding to an application filed by Gandhi’s counsel Milind Pawar, said the defence cannot raise objections before the trial court while simultaneously questioning the validity of its summons in public. “If he has any objection to the court summons, he should take it up with a higher court,” the judge noted.
Gandhi’s lawyer argued that the 2023 summons had been issued “in haste” and without adequate evidence, claiming the order appeared to have been passed under pressure. The complainant’s counsel, Sangram Kolhatkar, opposed the plea, asserting that the previous judge had issued the summons only after examining all material facts. He said the allegation of undue pressure cast an unwarranted shadow on the court’s functioning.
The case stems from Gandhi’s speech in London in March 2023, where he referenced a book on Savarkar and alleged that Savarkar and his associates had once assaulted a Muslim man. Satyaki Savarkar, the freedom fighter’s descendant, denied the claim and filed a criminal complaint, asserting that no such incident was ever recorded or written by Savarkar.
The proceedings have witnessed multiple flashpoints. In August, Gandhi’s lawyer claimed the Congress leader faced a threat to his life following his “Vote Chori” campaign—an assertion Gandhi later rejected, with Congress leader Supriya Shrinate stating that the filing had been made without his consent.
The Supreme Court has previously reprimanded Gandhi for comments on freedom fighters, warning on April 26 that irresponsible statements would invite suo motu action. The apex court has stayed the trial court’s summons, after the Allahabad High Court declined to intervene earlier in April.
The Pune court will continue hearing the matter, with further clarity expected once Gandhi decides whether to challenge the summons before a higher court.
