After Sambhaji Bhide’s Gandhi remarks, Pune trust moves Bombay HC for guidelines against defamation of historical figues

The Pune trust’s petition says that although IPC sections 499 and 500 deal with defamation, their scope is limited when it comes to historical figures.

Although Indian Penal Code sections 499 and 500 deal with defamation, their scope is limited when it comes to historical figures, the petition said. (Express photo)

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Against the backdrop of right-wing leader Sambhaji Bhide’s controversial remarks about Mahatma Gandhi, a group of activists from Pune have approached the Bombay High Court with a public interest litigation (PIL) plea seeking guidelines to stop defamation of revered historical figures.

Dr Kumar Saptarshi, Sandip Barve and Anwar Rajan of the Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak filed the petition on August 3. It is being heard by the bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Arif Doctor.

“Generally when defamatory statements are made about living individuals, they can approach the authorities and seek remedy. In case of the great figures of the past such as Mahatma Gandhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Jawaharlal Nehru, such people (who make the remarks) go unpunished. Such statements lead to harm to society and the country. Hence, this petition seeks to regulate and restrain the spread of such defamatory statements through the media and other channels,” Dr Saptarshi said at a press conference.

Although Indian Penal Code sections 499 and 500 deal with defamation, their scope is limited when it comes to historical figures, the petition said.

Advocate Kiran Kadam represents the trust in the case.

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