SURAT: The Surat Sessions Court today granted bail (till disposal of his appeal) to Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case over his remark “why all thieves share the Modi surname” made during a political campaign in Karol in April 2019. The case will be heard next on April 13.
Gandhi’s Conviction has not been stayed by the Court today, however, a notice has been issued to the complainant (Purnesh Modi) on Gandhi’s plea for a stay on his conviction. The complainant has been asked to file his reply by 10th April.
Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi moved an appeal in the Surat Sessions Court challenging his conviction. The appeal has been accompanied by two applications, the first being application for Suspension of Sentence, which is essentially an application for regular bail, and the second being, an application for Suspension of Conviction.
If the second application is allowed, his membership of the Lok Sabha will be restored, subject to the issuance of notification of the LS Secretariat in this regard.
It may be recalled that on March 23, the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail, following which he was disqualified as MP of Lok Sabha. However, his sentence was suspended, and he was also granted bail to enable him to move an appeal against his conviction within 30 days
