Surat Court on Thursday dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s plea against his conviction in a defamation case.
Additional Session Court Judge RP Mogera came to the court and said only one word on this petition – dismissed
Judge Mogera had heard the arguments of both the parties on the matter on April 13 and reserved the verdict. Now Rahul will appeal in the High Court.
The case pertains to Rahul’s statement made during an election rally in Bengaluru in 2019.
Rahul had said in the rally that why the surname of every thief is Modi. Gujarat’s BJP MLA Purnesh Modi filed a defamation case on this statement.
On March 23 this year, the court had given its verdict. His parliament membership was revoked the next day.
If Judge Mogera had accepted Rahul’s petition, the way for his reinstatement in Parliament membership would have been opened.
Congress statement: We will use whatever options are available to us under the law. Abhishek Manu Singhvi will hold a press conference on this at 4 pm today.
BJP’s statement: The pride of the Gandhi family has been shattered. OBC community is happy because Rahul Gandhi has insulted this community.
Arguments of Rahul and the opposition on the petition against the sentence
Rahul Gandhi: During the hearing, Rahul’s lawyer RS Cheema argued to Additional Sessions Court Judge RP Mogera that the defamation case was not justified. The maximum sentence was not even required in the case.
He had said- Power is an exception, but the court should consider the consequences of the sentence. Should consider whether the convict will suffer more. It is unjust to get such a punishment.
Purnesh Modi, who filed the defamation case: He had said that Rahul Gandhi is used to making defamatory statements again and again.
Following the conviction, the membership of Rahul, the MP from Wayanad in Kerala, was canceled on March 24. Shortly after the sentence was announced, he was granted bail for 30 days.
The Lok Sabha Housing Committee sent a notice to Rahul on March 27 to vacate the bungalow.
The committee asked him to vacate the official residence at 12 Tughlaq Road by April 22. Rahul vacated the bungalow and decided to live in Sonia Gandhi’s residence. Their belongings have also shifted.
Five days have passed since Rahul Gandhi was convicted in the defamation case. His Lok Sabha membership has also been cancelled. Despite this, Rahul has not yet appealed in the High Court. Some people are telling legal compulsion behind this while some are trying to take political advantage
