Rahul Gandhi gets relief Patna HC stays lower court’s order over Modi surname defamation case

Rahul Gandhi gets relief
Patna HC stays lower court’s order over Modi surname defamation case

In a new development, the Patna HC has granted relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed against him by BJP MP Sushil Modi for his ‘Modi-surname’ remark.

However, the lower court had ordered Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on April 12, but the high court stayed the order and scheduled the next hearing for May 15.

Reportedly, the atter already under trial in Surat court, attributes that Rahul Gandhi’s legal team submitted in the high court that the same matter was already under trial in Surat court, and hence there cannot be another trial in a different court in the same matter. The high court accepted the plea and granted relief to the Congress leader, stating that he would not have to appear in the lower court in Patna.

The defamation case was filed by BJP MP Sushil Modi, who accused Rahul Gandhi for hurting the sentiments of a community through his ‘irresponsible’ remarks.

In March, a court in Surat convicted Rahul Gandhi for two years in the same case, resulting in his disqualification from Lok Sabha, where he represented the Wayanad constituency of Kerala.

Sessions Court however, dismissed appeal filed against order which stated that if the accused is given lesser punishment, it will send a wrong message to the public and the purpose of defamation law will not be fulfilled, and slandering will become easy.

The Patna High Court’s stay order provides temporary relief to Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case. However, the case is still ongoing in the Surat court, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 15.

News input KV Raman