Defamation case against Rahul Gandhi: Savarkar's grandnephew deposes in Pune court
Pune (PTI): Satyaki Savarkar, grandnephew of V D Savarkar, on Friday deposed before a special court here in the defamation case linked to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks about the Hindutva ideologue, marking the beginning of the trial.
Advocate Sangram Kolhatkar, representing complainant Satyaki Savarkar, said during the deposition, a part of his client's chief examination was recorded.
"In it, he spoke about his family background and how he came across an online link to Rahul Gandhi's speech delivered in London in March 2023. In that speech, Gandhi claimed V D Savarkar had written in a book that he and five to six friends once beat up a Muslim man and had felt happy about it," Kolhatkar said.
In his deposition, Satyaki informed the court about the video, the date on which Gandhi made the speech, and the duration of the clip, he added.
Advocate Milind Pawar, representing Gandhi in the case, sought time to file the defence's say on an application submitted by Satyaki Savarkar, which stated that "Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse; however, no social boycott was imposed on Godse's family after the assassination."
Advocate Pawar argued that a close reading of the application indicates the complainant is indirectly justifying Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.
He further submitted the content of the application is based entirely on historical events, and therefore, verification of those historical facts and records is necessary before submitting a detailed reply.
"We requested the court to grant the defence sufficient time to study the relevant historical documents and file a comprehensive written statement. The court has granted time to submit a detailed reply, and the matter is now posted for November 7," Pawar said.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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