SC stays conviction of Rahul Gandhi in ‘Modi’ surname case

The Supreme Court, in an interim decision issued on Friday, delayed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the criminal defamation case stemming from the remark “Modi surname.” Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court began hearing an appeal filed by the Congress leader contesting a Gujarat High Court judgment that refused to suspend his conviction […]

by Reena Choudhary - August 4, 2023, 2:02 pm

The Supreme Court, in an interim decision issued on Friday, delayed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the criminal defamation case stemming from the remark “Modi surname.”

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court began hearing an appeal filed by the Congress leader contesting a Gujarat High Court judgment that refused to suspend his conviction in the criminal defamation case.

Senior attorney Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Rahul Gandhi, was informed by the Supreme Court that he would have to establish an unusual case for a stay of conviction.

In his arguments, Singhvi stated that complainant Purnesh Modi’s original surname was not ‘Modi,’ and that he later took this surname. “Not one of the people Gandhi mentioned in his speech has filed a lawsuit.”

There is no uniformity or homogeneity in this little society of 13 crore individuals. Only BJP officeholders who are suing are offended in this society, according to Singhvi.

Referring to the lower court’s prior decision in the case, Singhvi stated that the judge regards this as a serious offense including moral turpitude.