Rahul Gandhi fined ₹200 by Lucknow court for repeated absence in Savarkar case

HYDERABAD: A Lucknow court has imposed a fine of ₹200 on Congress leader and former party president Rahul Gandhi for repeatedly failing to appear in a case related to his remarks on freedom fighter Veer Savarkar. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court directed that the fine amount be handed over to the complainant Narendra Pandey’s lawyer.

The case stems from a speech Rahul Gandhi made in Maharashtra in 2022, where he allegedly made controversial statements about Veer Savarkar. Gandhi had accused Savarkar of being a servant of the British and receiving a pension from them. His remarks sparked a significant political controversy.

Following this, Narendra Pandey, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, filed a petition in the Lucknow court, seeking action against Gandhi. However, Rahul Gandhi has never appeared in court for the hearings. In response to his repeated absence, the court has now imposed a ₹200 fine as a penalty.

During the latest hearing, Gandhi’s lawyer requested an exemption from personal appearance, citing his busy schedule in the Lok Sabha. However, the court rejected the request and scheduled the next hearing for April 14. The court also warned that if Gandhi fails to appear on that date, stricter legal action will be taken against him.