['Modi-Thieves' Remark] Gujarat High Court Dismisses Rahul Gandhi's Plea To Suspend Conviction In Defamation Case

The criminal defamation case was filed over a remark made by Gandhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign. Referring to persons like Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, Gandhi had asked "why all thieves have the same surname?".

Alleging that Gandhi's comment defamed the entire Modi community, BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against him.

Gandhi has maintained that there was no malafide intention on his part when he made the statement in question.

On March 23, 2023, the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat convicted and sentenced Gandhi to 2 years imprisonment, following which he was disqualified as a member of Lok Sabha. However, his sentence was suspended, and he was also granted bail on the same day to enable him to move an appeal against his conviction within 30 days.

On April 3, Gandhi approached the Surat Sessions Court assailing his conviction and further seeking a stay on his conviction, which was rejected on April 20. However, Surat Sessions Court on April 3 granted bail to Gandhi till the disposal of his appeal.

Also Read - Defamation Case| Modi Community An 'Identifiable' Class, Rahul Gandhi Has A Duty Not To Jeopardise Reputation Of Large Section Of People: Gujarat HC

'Modi-Thieves' Remark| 'Rahul Gandhi Made False Statement To Affect Poll Results; Took PM's Name To Add Sensation To It': Gujarat HC

Case Title - RAHUL GANDHI Versus PURNESH ISHWERBHAI MODI

Case Citation: 2023 Livelaw (Guj) 114

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