Varanasi Court Sets Aside Magistrate's Order Refusing FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Over 'Lord Ram Mythological Figure' Remark; Directs Fresh Hearing
A Special MP-MLA court in Varanasi today set aside a Magistrate Court's order that had dismissed a complaint seeking registration of an FIR against Congress leader and LoP in LokSabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged remark on Lord Rama, referring to him as a 'mythological' figure during an interactive session in the US in 2025 Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Yajuvendra Vikram...
A Special MP-MLA court in Varanasi today set aside a Magistrate Court's order that had dismissed a complaint seeking registration of an FIR against Congress leader and LoP in LokSabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged remark on Lord Rama, referring to him as a 'mythological' figure during an interactive session in the US in 2025
Addl. District & Sessions Judge, Yajuvendra Vikram Singh, while hearing a revision plea, directed the concerned Magistrate to hear the matter afresh in light of the decisions of the Supreme Court and the High Court and thereafter, pass an order.
"The order dated 27.05.2025 passed by the learned Magistrate in Complaint No. 28227/2025Harishankar Pandey vs. Rahul Gandhi and others is set aside. The learned Magistrate is directed to conduct a fresh hearing in the light of this monitoring decision and in view of the principles communicated by the Honorable High Courts and ensure passing of the order as per law", the order's operative part reads.
Briefly put, the revision plea was filed by Advocate Hari Shankar Pandey, challenging the Chief Judicial Magistrate's November 28, 2024, order, wherein his plea for FIR registration against Rahul Gandhi was rejected.
For context, the complaint alleged that Gandhi has been continuously making absurd statements about the previous incarnations and great symbols of Sanatan Dharma and that he keeps insulting the Hindus who believe in Sanatan Dharma, and this amounts to hate speech.
The complaint also referred to the April 2025 remarks made by the Supreme Court expressing disapproval of Gandhi's alleged comments against VD Savarkar.
"MP Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress have become habitual offenders of such acts. In the matter concerning the great freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, the Hon'ble Supreme Court had strongly reprimanded Shri Rahul Gandhi (Member of Parliament and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha) and his party. However, these people refuse to mend their ways. They continue to make baseless and offensive remarks about the incarnations and great symbols of Sanatan Dharma, thereby insulting Hindus who follow Sanatan Dharma. By delivering hate speech, they have committed a serious criminal offense", the criminal complaint stated.
Importantly, the complaint argued that Gandhi's act becomes even more despicable when the Supreme Court of India, in its Ram Janmabhoomi dispute Judgment, has recognised the existence of Shri Ram Lalla.
Against this backdrop, Pandey had prayed in his plea that Gandhi be summoned to face severe punishment for the offences committed under Sections 356, 351, 353 and 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).