Rahul Gandhi defamation case: SC issues notice on Congress leader's plea, next hearing scheduled for Aug 4 

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice after an appeal filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against Gujarat High Court’s order that denied to put a hold on his conviction and a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case. His plea for staying the guilty verdict will be heard on August 4, the apex court said. The petition was heard by a bench of justices BR Gavai and PK Mishra. 

Rahul Gandhi’s appeal 

Rahul Gandhi had filed an appeal on July 15,   a week after Gujarat HC’s blow to consider reviving his Lok Sabha membership. The Gujarat HC, ruled out against Gandhi, saying the Congress leader ‘breached modesty’

Justice BR Gavai’s political background 

During the hearing of Rahul Gandhi’s petition on Frida, SC Judge BR Gavai, who is one of the judges in the heading case, asked if there was any objection to him hearing the case due to his father’s long association with the Congress party. He also noted that his brother is also associated with politics.  Gavai reportedly said, "Before we start with the matter, I must express some difficulties on my part to both sides. My father was associated with the Indian National Congress, though he was not a Congress member. He was associated with Congress for more than 40 years. He was a member of both the Parliament and the state legislature with Congress' support. My brother is still in politics and is associated with Congress."

The lawyers of both sides affirmed that they had no problem, allowing hearing to proceed further. 

Rahul Gandhi defamation case

Rahul Gandhi was convicted on March 2 for his remarks on Modi surname. Former Gujarat Minister Purnesh Modi had filed a criminal complaint against Gandhi following which he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, leading to his disqualification as an MP.

Meanwhile, the SC has also sought responses from Purnesh Modi and the state government on Rahul Gandhi’s plea challenging HC’s verdict which denied to put his disqualification as an MP on hold.  

For the unversed, Purnesh Modi had filed a defamation case against the Rahul Gandhi over his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER