Rahul Gandhi Challenges the High Court's Decision in Modi Surname Controversy in the Supreme Court

Rahul Gandhi Challenges the High Court's Decision 

Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has taken his case to the Supreme Court, challenging the order of the Gujarat High Court that dismissed his plea regarding the criminal defamation case related to the Modi surname controversy.

Photo : Suprime court | photo source: Social Media 

In Gujarat, the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is challenging the judgment of the High Court, which had rejected his plea to halt the sentence in the criminal defamation case related to his "Modi" surname controversy.

Purnesh Modi, the complainant

Purnesh Modi, the complainant in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi in Gujarat, has also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court against Gandhi's appeal. On July 7, the High Court had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea in which he had sought to stay his sentence in the criminal defamation case related to his use of the "Modi" surname. Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the court had dismissed the plea.

The court had earlier rejected Rahul Gandhi's request for interim relief, as it was filed by an "ineligible petitioner." Rahul Gandhi's lawyers had argued that if their client was sentenced to a maximum of two years for non-cognizable offenses, he would lose his Lok Sabha seat, representing Surat West.

Photo : Rahul Gandhi| photo source : social media

Rahul Gandhi faced a criminal defamation case related to his statement made during an election rally in Kolar, Karnataka, in 2019. During the rally, Rahul had made remarks questioning how "all thieves have Modi as their common surname."

Rahul Gandhi sentenced to two years in jail

This case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator from Surat West, Purnesh Modi, as a response to the allegations made by Gandhi. On March 23, 2023, a Surat Metropolitan Magistrate Court had found Rahul Gandhi guilty under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which related to criminal defamation, and he was sentenced to two years in prison.

Rahul Gandhi's appeal in the Supreme Court marks another significant development in this ongoing legal controversy over his remarks. The case revolves around political comments and the legal implications of alleged defamation, and it has garnered attention in Indian politics.

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