Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is reportedly planning to appeal his conviction and two-year term in a criminal defamation case from 2019. The case was filed against him for his statement about the “Modi surname” in Surat’s trial court, which resulted in his loss of MP status and disqualification from the Lok Sabha.
Gandhi and his party are preparing to file a plea against the trial court’s decision, and tomorrow he may bring the review petition before the Surat Sessions Court. The controversy arose when a trial court in Surat, Gujarat found the former Wayanad MP guilty of criminal defamation in 2019 for his comments, “Why all thieves have the Modi surname?”
The court gave him a prison term of two years, which is the minimum requirement for exclusion from the Parliament. BJP Legislator Purnesh Modi submitted the court’s petition. However, Gandhi was allowed 30 days to appeal the Surat Court’s decision to a higher court. If the high court delays his conviction, Gandhi may be able to retain his seat in the Lok Parliament.
The Congress party has already stated that they will contest the Surat Court’s decision to convict Gandhi on political and legal grounds and by bringing the matter to the attention of the general public. Meanwhile, Gandhi’s disqualification has prompted a rally from many opposition leaders who referred to it as a “black day” for Indian democracy.
