Rahul Gandhi plea in ‘Modi Surname’ defamation case Rejected

New Delhi: The Surat Court on Thursday dismissed a plea moved by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the “Modi Surname” defamation case.

Congress leader had sought a stay on his conviction in the 2019 defamation case, which resulted in his disqualification from the Parliament on March 24. Earlier a lower court in Surat on March 23, had found Rahul Gandhi guilty in a criminal defamation case.

Following his disqualification, Rahul Gandhi recieved an eviction notice asking him to vacate the official bunglow alloted to him as a MP representing the Wayanad constituency in Kerala. Gandhi abided by the rules and emptied the place on April 14.Gandhi challenged the verdict of the lower court in the Sessions court asking to provide him relief but on Wednesday his plea was cancelled.

On April 13, the court had heard the case and reserved the verdict for April 20. Appealing against the lower court’s ruling, Gandhi submitted that he was treated harshly at the stage of determination of sentence and the maximum sentence has caused him irreparable loss.

What could be his next move?

With the dismissal of the plea, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi remains with an option to approach the High Court. Gandhi can challenge the Sessions Court’s verdict in the High Court as a process.