A criminal court in Nashik closed a defamation case filed against Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022.

The complaint was lodged by Devendra Bhutada, president of the Nashik-based Nirbhaya Foundation, who alleged that Gandhi’s comments at rallies in Hingoli and Akole on June 15 and 16, 2022, were defamatory and insulting.

Based on Bhutada’s plea, offences under sections 499 (defamation) and 504 (intentional insult) of the Indian Penal Code were registered, and a Nashik court issued summons to Gandhi in September 2024.

Gandhi was later granted bail and permitted to attend proceedings virtually, during which he pleaded not guilty.

The Court had also ordered an inquiry under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in September 2024.

After the police submitted their report, the complainant moved to withdraw the case.

Following this, the trial judge closed the defamation proceedings.

A detailed order is awaited.