Proceedings in the defamation case filed against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi witnessed a significant development on Monday (June 15) when Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s grandnephew, Satyaki Savarkar, acknowledged before a Pune court that the Hindutva ideologue had submitted 10 mercy petitions to the British authorities seeking a reduction in his sentence.

According to Live Law, Satyaki made the statement during his cross-examination before Special Judge Amol Shinde in the MP/MLA court. The case stems from a complaint filed by Satyaki against Gandhi over remarks made by the Congress leader during a speech in London in March 2023.

Questioned by Gandhi’s counsel Milind Pawar, Satyaki admitted that Savarkar had repeatedly approached the colonial government for clemency.

“It is true to say that, Savarkar had filed a clemency petition ten times,” Satyaki told the court.

He further acknowledged that several prominent revolutionaries of the same era chose not to seek mercy from the British administration.

“It is true to say that, revolutionists from that same period – Rajguru, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Ashfaqulla Khan – did not file a clemency petition. It is true to say that, Savarkar filed a mercy petition within the first month after being sentenced,” Satyaki told the court.

Satyaki also stated that his granduncle had been conferred the title of ‘Veer’ by a publication associated with the Gadar Organisation even before he was transported to the Andaman Islands.

Referring to Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt, Satyaki said he was unaware that the two revolutionaries had petitioned the British authorities seeking recognition as prisoners of war while refusing any concessions.

“I was unaware that Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt had petitioned the British government, demanding to be treated as prisoners of war and refusing any concessions or acts of leniency. It is true to say that, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt remained steadfast in their ideology and principles until the very end. I am aware that revolutionist Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt did not compromise on their principles and ideologies in their dealings with the British right to the end,” Satyaki told the court, reported Live Law.

During the cross-examination, Satyaki maintained that the wording used in Savarkar's petitions should not be interpreted as an expression of allegiance to British rule and argued that the language followed official conventions.

“It is true to say that, filing a clemency petition to seek a reduction in the sentence was a standard procedure under the British government. It is true to say that, not only Savarkar but other prisoners also filed clemency petitions. It is true to say that, filing a clemency petition was neither exceptional nor illegal. It is not true to say that the language Savarkar used in that clemency petition was one of humility. It is not true to say that the petitions contained words expressing loyalty to the British government. It is true to say that, in that petition, Savarkar requested a reduction of his sentence,” said Satyaki.

He further clarified that filing such petitions was entirely a matter of personal choice.

“It is true to say that, no prisoner was under any obligation to submit a mercy petition. It is true to say that, whether or not to file a mercy petition depended on the preference of the concerned prisoner. It is true to say that, these revolutionists endured great hardships; however, I do not know the names of the specific prisoners among them who filed mercy petitions,” he added.

According to the complaint lodged by Satyaki, Rahul Gandhi had alleged during a speech delivered in London in March 2023 that V.D. Savarkar had written in a “book” that he and “five to six of his friends once beat up a Muslim man” and that the incident had made him feel happy.

The defamation case arising from those remarks is currently being heard by the special court in Pune.