Zoom News : Apr 03, 2023, 11:25 AM
Rahul Gandhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was recently disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP after being convicted by the court for using the Modi surname, on Monday in Surat, Gujarat on his "Modi surname" remark. Will file an appeal in the sessions court at 2 pm against his conviction in a criminal defamation case. Several top Congress leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will reportedly accompany him to the court. Many veteran leaders of the party including Rahul Gandhi will also be present in the Surat court. Earlier, former Congress President Sonia Gandhi reached Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi to meet him.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole and CLP leader Balasaheb Thorat will also accompany Rahul Gandhi in Surat today when he will file an appeal against the magistrate court's order convicting him in a defamation case. Rahul Gandhi, his family members, CM Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel are also going to Surat.
Sambit Patra tightened up - going to appeal or gimmick
BJP leader Sambit Patra has taken a jibe at the Congress over Rahul Gandhi going to the court for appeal and said that they are creating havoc in the name of appeal (against the 2-year sentence)... are they trying to put pressure on the judiciary trying to?
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#WATCH | Rahul Gandhi, his family members, CMs Ashok Gehlot & Bhupesh Baghel are going to Surat & will be creating mayhem in the name of appealing (against the 2-year sentence) verdict...are they trying to pressurise the judiciary?: Sambit Patra, BJP pic.twitter.com/ZLvsvNaL58
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2023
Rahul Gandhi will be in Surat court today.
Rahul Gandhi's lawyers said the Congress leader would seek suspension of his sentence by the sessions court.
Rahul Gandhi will reach Surat around 2 pm. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Congress Rajya Sabha member KC Venugopal and other senior party leaders will also accompany him.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu are also likely to visit Surat.
On March 23, the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Verma in Surat had convicted 52-year-old Gandhi and sentenced him to two years in prison in a criminal defamation case filed against him over his "Modi surname" remark in 2019. .
The very next day after the sentence was pronounced, the former Congress President was disqualified from the Lok Sabha.
Following his disqualification, Rahul Gandhi will not be able to contest elections for eight years, unless a higher court stays his conviction and sentence.
Gandhi's alleged comment on a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi against the Congress leader "How come all thieves are surnamed Modi?"
Gandhi made the remarks while addressing a rally in Kolar, Karnataka on April 13, 2019, during the Lok Sabha election campaign.
"We are confident that the appeals court will appreciate the glaring errors of the trial court and do justice expeditiously," said Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Singhvi, who is supervising and advising the legal team on the appeal.
Senior advocate RS Cheema will appear in the court on Monday on behalf of Rahul Gandhi.