The Supreme Court on Friday stayed Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark, paving the way for revival of his Lok Sabha membership. The stay will also allow him to contest the national elections due next year.
Pronouncing the verdict, Justice BR Gavai said the ramifications of Gandhi’s conviction are wide since it will also affect the right of the electorates who elected him, according to Hindustan Times.
“No reason has been given by the trial judge for imposing maximum sentence, the order of conviction needs to be stayed pending final adjudication,” the bench said.
Attending a press conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters later in the day, Rahul Gandhi thanked everyone those who supported him and his party. “Either today, tomorrow or the day after, truth was bound to come out. I have a complete clarity about my path,” he said.
Purnesh Modi, a former minister in the Gujarat government, had filed a criminal defamation case in 2019 against 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.
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