Modi surname case: SC stays Rahul Gandhi's conviction
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 4) stayed the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case over his Modi surname remark, restoring his status as an MP.
A three-judge bench of Justices BR Gavai, PS Narasimha and Sanjay Kumar said no doubt that the utterances were not in good taste and that a person in public life is expected to exercise caution while making public speeches.
Also read: ‘Call us whatever you want Mr Modi. We will…’: Rahul Gandhi hits back at Modi
“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.
The top court was hearing a plea by Rahul challenging the Gujarat High Court verdict which dismissed his plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark.
Former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi had filed a criminal defamation case in 2019 against Rahul over his “How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?” remark made during an election rally in Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.
The Supreme Court judgment is a strong vindication of truth and justice.
Reacting to the judgment, the Congress party tweeted, “It is a victory of love against hate. Satyamev Jayate – Jai Hind.”
यह नफरत के खिलाफ मोहब्बत की जीत है।
सत्यमेव जयते – जय हिंद 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/wSTVU8Bymn
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 4, 2023
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said, “Despite the relentless efforts of the BJPs machinery, @RahulGandhi has refused to bend, break or bow, choosing instead to place his faith in the judicial process.
“Let this be a lesson to the BJP and its acolytes: you can do your absolute worst but we will not back down. We will continue to expose and call out your failures as a Government and as a party. We will continue to uphold our Constitutional ideals and repose faith in our institutions which you so desperately want to destroy. Satyameva Jayate!”
The Supreme Court judgment is a strong vindication of truth and justice.
Despite the relentless efforts of the BJPs machinery, @RahulGandhi has refused to bend, break or bow, choosing instead to place his faith in the judicial process.
Let this be a lesson to the BJP and its…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 4, 2023
