'Modi-Thieves' Remark| Surat Sessions Court Reserves Order On Rahul Gandhi's Plea For Stay On Conviction In Defamation Case, Order on April 20
The Surat Sessions Court today reserved its order on Rahul Gandhi's application seeking a stay on his conviction in the defamation case over his remark “why all thieves share the Modi surname” made during a political campaign in Karol in April 2019. Surat Sessions Court Judge Robin Mogera heard reserved its verdict after hearing Gandhi and the complainant, BJP's Purnesh Modi.If...
The Surat Sessions Court today reserved its order on Rahul Gandhi's application seeking a stay on his conviction in the defamation case over his remark “why all thieves share the Modi surname” made during a political campaign in Karol in April 2019.
Surat Sessions Court Judge Robin Mogera heard reserved its verdict after hearing Gandhi and the complainant, BJP's Purnesh Modi.
If his application is allowed, his membership of the Lok Sabha will be restored, subject to the issuance of notification of the LS Secretariat in this regard.
It may be recalled that on March 23, the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail, following which he was disqualified as MP of Lok Sabha. However, his sentence was suspended, and he was also granted bail to enable him to move an appeal against his conviction within 30 days.
The Sessions Court on April 3 granted bail (till disposal of his appeal) to Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case.
The case in brief
BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi Purnesh Modi had filed a complaint under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code against Rahul Gandhi for his alleged remarks stating that it has defamed all people with the ‘Modi’ surname while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The remarks had been video graphed by the video surveillance team and video viewing team duly notified by the office of Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Kollar District.
The Gujarat High Court had vacated the stay on trial in the criminal defamation case in February this year. Gandhi Rahul Gandhi remained present in the court when the court pronounced its verdict. On earlier three occasions too, he was present before the Court.
Gandhi has maintained that there was no malafide intention on his part when he made the statement in question.