faceA Surat court will pronounce its verdict today on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his ‘Modi surname’ remark. On 3 April, the Surat Sessions Court granted bail to the Congress leader, who had filed an appeal after his conviction in the case. While granting bail to the former MP, the court also issued notice to complainant Purnesh Modi and the state government on their plea to stay the Congress leader’s conviction.
It heard both the sides and then reserved the order for April 20. Rahul Gandhi was a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, but was disqualified after a lower court in Surat sentenced him to two years in jail on March 23 under sections 499 and 500 (defamation). Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Purnesh Modi.
The case pertains to the use of the surname `Modi` by Rahul Gandhi while addressing a campaign event ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. At a rally in Kolar, Karnataka in April 2019, Rahul took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “How come all thieves have the surname Modi?”.
Following his conviction, Rahul was disqualified as an MP on 24 March, in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Under the ruling, any MP or MLA convicted and sentenced to two years or more is automatically disqualified.
Modi Surname Case: Surat Court’s Verdict Likely Today On Rahul Gandhi’s Plea
faceA Surat court will pronounce its verdict today on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his ‘Modi surname’ remark. On 3 April, the Surat Sessions Court granted bail to the Congress leader, who had filed an appeal after his conviction in the case. While granting bail to the former MP, the court also issued notice to complainant Purnesh Modi and the state government on their plea to stay the Congress leader’s conviction.
It heard both the sides and then reserved the order for April 20. Rahul Gandhi was a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, but was disqualified after a lower court in Surat sentenced him to two years in jail on March 23 under sections 499 and 500 (defamation). Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Purnesh Modi.
The case pertains to the use of the surname `Modi` by Rahul Gandhi while addressing a campaign event ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. At a rally in Kolar, Karnataka in April 2019, Rahul took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying, “How come all thieves have the surname Modi?”.
Following his conviction, Rahul was disqualified as an MP on 24 March, in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Under the ruling, any MP or MLA convicted and sentenced to two years or more is automatically disqualified.