‘Modi Surname’ Row: SC to Hear Rahul Gandhi’s Appeal Against Defamation Conviction on July 21

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear the appeal filed by Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, challenging the Gujarat High Court’s decision not to stay his conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case.

The appeal was mentioned by Gandhi’s counsel, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, before a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, seeking an urgent listing.

“Seeking a Friday or Monday date,” Singhvi stated.

“List this Friday,” CJI Chandrachud directed.

On March 23, 2023, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Surat convicted and sentenced Rahul Gandhi to 2 years of imprisonment for his remark, “All thieves have Modi surname,” that leads to his disqualification as a Lok Sabha member.

However, he was granted bail on the same day to file an appeal within 30 days. Rahul Gandhi appealed against his conviction and sought a stay on the sentence at the Surat Sessions Court on April 3, but the request was rejected on April 20.

The Gujarat High Court dismissed Gandhi’s revision plea, noting that the case involves a larger identifiable class, the Modi community, and not just an individual.

The court emphasized Gandhi’s role as a senior leader of the oldest political party in India, stating that he has a responsibility to safeguard the dignity and reputation of a significant number of individuals.

Furthermore, the High Court acknowledged other pending complaints against Gandhi, including one filed by the grandson of Vir Savarkar in the Pune Court.

The court noted that Gandhi had allegedly used defamatory language against Vir Savarkar during a speech at Cambridge University.