The Karnataka High Court on August 28, 2025, refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that questioned the whereabouts of an alleged second volume of Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography My Experiments with Truth.
The petition was filed by the organisation Jagrutha Karnataka, Jagrutha Bharatha, represented by its President K.N. Manjunatha, who argued in person. The plea sought directions against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and other authorities to clarify whether such a volume existed.
Read Also:-Karnataka High Court Convicts Benaka Sponge Iron Pvt. Ltd. and Director in Cheque Bounce Case
Manjunatha claimed that the so-called missing Volume 2 was supposed to cover Indian history between 1926 and 1947. He stated that he had written several letters to prominent leaders and institutions to “enlighten the nation,” but his requests went unanswered. The petitioner also sought interim directions for producing a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi from the Independence Day celebrations of August 15, 1947, to substantiate his concerns.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi rejected the plea, observing:
“According to the petitioner there are gaps in history which need to be answered. Clearly, no order can be issued in this regard. If the petitioner wishes to undertake scholarly exercise of doing research in history, there is no impediment for the petitioner in doing so.”
Read Also:-Karnataka High Court Orders ₹15 Lakh Compensation to Student Denied MBBS Seat
The Court added that the request for recovering a second volume of Gandhi’s autobiography was “vague” and that no such relief could be granted. Accordingly, the PIL was dismissed.
Case Title: Jagrutha Karnataka Jagrutha Bharatha vs The Secretary & Others
Case No.: WP 33695/2025
