The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to express regret or face trial for his comments holding Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) responsible for Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
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When the case came up for hearing today, the Court said that a whole organization can not be branded “with the same brush” for the actions of its members.
The defamation case pertains to Rahul Gandhi’s comments in which he has blamed RSS for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
The case stems from a defamation lawsuit filed against Gandhi by an activist of RSS, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s ideological mentor, for accusing the organization of assassinating Mohandas Gandhi.
In November, he had refused to settle the case and told the Supreme Court that he would prefer to argue his case.
The bench further observed that individuals can’t make wholesale denunciation of a organisation unless they can raise the defence of public good or truth.
The chances are Rahul Gandhi is safe from any possibility of conviction in a defamation case for at least the next ten years, if not more.
It was alleged by Rajesh Kunte, secretary of Bhiwandi unit of RSS, that Rahul told an election rally at Sonale on March 6, 2015 that “RSS people killed Gandhiji”.
The case has been adjourned until July 27.
However, Rahul Gandhi’s counsel then sought two weeks time citing the unavailability of senior counsel, Kapil Sibal.
The apex court had granted interim stay on the proceedings of the case before the magisterial court.
The Congress leader then approached the High Court seeking exemption from appearance and quashing of the complaint.
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The matter of criminal defamation brought together an unlikely cast of characters including BJP leader Subarmanian Swamy, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Gandhi, who argued that criminal defamation laws curtail free speech.
