No complaint filed against ‘Mafiveer’ or ‘British agent’: Savarkar’s great-nephew tells Pune court

The defamation complaint alleges that Rahul Gandhi defamed Savarkar on several occasions. The specific incident cited in the complaint occurred on March 5, 2023, when the Congress leader addressed an overseas congress in the United Kingdom. Photo file | Photo credit: PTI

Satyaki Ashok Savarkar, great-nephew of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar, told a special MP/MLA court in Pune that he has not filed defamation complaints against individuals who call Savarkar a “Mafiveer” or a “British agent”.

Mr Satyaki made the statement on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) during cross-examination in a criminal defamation complaint filed by him against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for defaming his great-uncle on numerous occasions. Special Judge Amol Shinde is presiding over the hearing. Mr. Gandhi’s representative, advocate Milind Pawar, conducted the cross-examination.

Mr Satyaki said in his statement that he could not confirm why historians used these terms for his great-uncle. According to him, the matter remains a matter of debate. “It is true that Savarkar was accused as a mafiveer and an agent of the British despite his contribution in the freedom movement. But these points can be debated. That is why I have not filed any complaint against anyone,” he told the court.

The witness said that he did not know whether these points discussed were what some historians call pleas for mercy. He also said he could not say whether the accusations of him being “Mafiveer” stemmed from differences of opinion about historical events. Mr. Satyaki added that he could not say whether the label “British agent” was a criticism based on Savarkar’s political stance or his relationship with British rule.

Details of cross-examination

During cross-examination, Mr. Satyaki said he could not say whether the historians used the terms sarcastically or based on Savarkar’s repeated pleas for mercy. He told the court that he could not confirm the meaning of the word ‘Mafiveer’ in the context of seeking forgiveness for wrongs committed.

“I cannot say that Savarkar has shown his readiness to leave the path of violence through the pleas for mercy. I cannot say that there has been much correspondence with the British government to release Savarkar,” Satyaki said.

The witness added that if Savarkar had compromised with the British authorities, he would have been appointed Prime Minister of India in 1946. He argued that Savarkar’s conclusion that he was a British agent was not an indisputable historical fact, but rather a controversial political or historical opinion.

Financial help from the British

Mr. Satyaki acknowledged that historical records show that Savarkar sought financial assistance from the British government while staying in Ratnagiri. However, he added that Savarkar had sent these petitions as per the rules laid down by the British authorities for getting maintenance allowance.

“Even Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Sharadchandra Bose received such allowance,” Mr Satyaki said in a voluntary addendum to his testimony.

The witness noted that Mumbai University had revoked Savarkar’s bachelor’s degree and the British authorities had refused certification for his legal practice. He said he did not know whether historians were identifying Savarkar as a British agent based on these financial correspondence records.

Case background

The defamation complaint alleges that Mr. Gandhi defamed Savarkar on numerous occasions. The specific incident cited in the complaint occurred on March 5, 2023, when the Congress leader addressed an overseas congress in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Satyaki alleged that Mr. Gandhi leveled the allegations against Savarkar, knowing them to be false, with the intention of damaging Savarkar’s reputation and causing mental anguish to the complainant and his family. The complaint states that the speech was delivered in England but its impact was felt in Pune when it was published and circulated across India.

He also submitted news reports and a YouTube link to Mr. Gandhi’s London speech as evidence. He claimed that Mr. Gandhi had falsely accused Savarkar of writing a book describing the beating of a Muslim person, an incident that Savarkar never wrote about and never took place.

Congress resolution to release Savarkar

Mr. Satyaki agreed that the Indian National Congress passed a resolution at Kakinada in 1923 for Savarkar’s release. However, he said he was not sure whether Savarkar was dismissed because of such a resolution.

The criminal defamation petition seeks maximum punishment for Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code and maximum compensation under Section 357 of the Indian Penal Code.

The court will continue to record testimony in the following days.

Published – 9 Jul 2026 10:57 IST