Rahul Gandhi defamation Highlights: A Sessions court in Surat on Monday granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case over his 2019 remark about the surname Modi. The court will hear the matter on April 13. Rahul Gandhi reached Surat in the afternoon via a scheduled commercial flight along with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and proceeded to the sessions court. The 52-year-old leader was convicted by a lower court in Surat and sentenced to prison for two years last month for an election campaign speech in 2019 in which he linked PM Modi’s last name with two fugitive businessmen, remarking how the “thieves” shared the same last name. He was convicted on March 23 by Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Verma, and the court had suspended his sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal. He was granted bail on the same day. A day later, Gandhi was disqualified as a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), and his Wayanad seat in Kerala was declared vacant.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi filed an appeal in a Surat court against his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remarks.
“This is a fight to save democracy, against 'Mitrakal'. In this struggle, truth is my weapon, and truth is my support!,” tweets Rahul Gandhi.
“I am fighting for the voice of India. I am ready to pay any cost,” tweets Rahul Gandhi, after filing an appeal in Surat court.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaves from Surat to Delhi after filing an appeal in the Surat Sessions court.
A Sessions court in Surat on Monday granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case over his 2019 remark about the surname Modi. The court will hear the matter on April 13.
Visuals of Rahul Gandhi, along with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, onboard flight to Surat.
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, leaves for Surat at Delhi's IGI Airport.
“Given the presence of Rahul Gandhi in Surat district court the Surat city police have deployed the police force wherever there is a possibility of movement. We will also be starting frisking and checking,” says Sagar Bagmar, DCP Zone-4 Surat. (ANI)
No one can pressurise judiciary. We are going to Surat. Congress is the main opposition party and Rahul Gandhi is big leader of our party. This is not a political drama. We stand by him, says Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. (ANI)
Congress party workers gather outside District and Sessions Court in Surat in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Visuals of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaving for Surat.
Chief Ministers of Congress ruling states, including Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will accompany Rahul Gandhi in Surat today.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be in Gujarat's Surat city today to file an appeal in a court against his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remarks. Gandhi's lawyers said the matter is likely to be taken up for hearing by the sessions court on Monday itself.
Gandhi will likely land in Surat at around 2 PM.
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At an election rally in Kolar, Karnataka on April 13, 2019, Gandhi had remarked, “Why do all thieves have the name Modi?” which created a political storm. The case against Gandhi was filed by BJP leader Purnesh Modi.
