The Supreme Court on Friday (August 14, 2026) quashed the criminal defamation complaint and summon issued by a trial court against Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for his remarks against Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

A Bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta noted that an affidavit filed by the Uttar Pradesh government reveals that no sanction has yet been given for the case against the Opposition leader.

“Sanction is required. But there is no sanction. If there is no sanction, there is no case,. You have to follow the law” Justice Datta addressed the State government and the complainant.

The court quashed both the complaint filed by Nripendra Pandey, a Lucknow resident, against Mr. Gandhi, and the summons issued by a Lucknow Magistrate.

The defamation case stems from Mr. Gandhi’s comments on Savarkar made on November 17, 2022 during his Bharat Jodo Yatra at a rally in Maharashtra’s Akola district.

The Lucknow bench of the high court on April 4, 2025 said Mr. Gandhi can file a revision petition before the sessions court, making the high court’s intervention unnecessary at this stage.

The Congress leader had challenged a subordinate court’s decision to summon him in the case, while contesting the ongoing proceedings against him.

Advocate Nripendra Pandey filed a complaint, accusing Mr. Gandhi of intentionally insulting Savarkar during the rally. The complainant alleged Mr. Gandhi’s remarks were part of a well-planned conspiracy to defame Savarkar.

With PTI inputs

Published - August 14, 2026 12:36 pm IST