Rahul Gandhi appeals to the Gujarat High Court after the Surat High Court rejected his plea

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi petitioned the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday, April 25, for a stay of conviction in the “Modi surname” case, a day after the Surat Sessions Court denied his plea. 

The Defamation Case

As per Hindustan Times,Mr. Gandhi had stated during his campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, “How come all thieves have the common surname Modi?” referring to the Prime Minister’s surname, which he shares with fugitive billionaires Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.

Purnesh Modi, a party leader in Gujarat, launched a defamation complaint against Mr. Gandhi after the BJP claimed it was an insult to the OBC (Other Backward Classes) group.

After being sentenced to two years in prison, the maximum allowed in a criminal defamation prosecution, Mr. Gandhi was declared ineligible for parliament last month.

According to the legislation, a person’s seat must remain empty if they are sentenced to two years in prison for any offence. The only way to continue serving as an MP is if the conviction is suspended.

The Aftermath

Due to Mr. Gandhi’s conviction and disqualification, there has been a significant political uproar, which has united the opposition. Regardless of ideological and political differences, the opposition has denounced the action and charged that the Center had dealt democracy a fatal blow.

He had been given bail by the Gujarat court that found him guilty, and he had 30 days to appeal.

His chances of being quickly re-elected as Wayanad’s Lok Sabha representative were dashed when a Surat court on April 21 dismissed his case. The judge emphasized Gandhi’s status as an MP and stated that he should have been more cautious in his statements.

In addition to equating those with the same last name as criminals, additional session judge Robin Mogera said that Rahul Gandhi appears to have made other demeaning remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Related Stories:

Breaking: Rahul Gandhi Convicted, Gets 2 Years Jail In ‘Modi Surname’ Case Rahul Gandhi Press Conference: ‘My Name Is Not Savarkar, Won’t Apologize’ Rahul Gandhi asked to vacate govt bungalow in Delhi – Details here Rahul Gandhi Mentions Aishwarya Rai, Bachchan Posts Cryptic Message on Twitter Rahul Gandhi rebuts PM Modi – ‘Call us whatever you Want’ FIR Filed Against Amit Malvia as he alleges Rahul Gandhi is Determined to ‘Stop Modi at Any Cost’ Rahul Gandhi to Visit Violence-Hit Manipur on June 29-30 Rahul Gandhi Listens To Truck Drivers’ ‘Mann Ki Baat’