Truth can be troubled but cannot be defeated. We have trust in the Supreme Court as everyone knows why such a thing (conviction) has happened, Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV
AHMEDABAD — The Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to stay Rahul Gandhi’s conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, which led to the loss of his Parliament membership.
The court ruled that granting a stay on conviction is an exception and not a rule.
The defamation case, which dates back to the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign, revolves around Gandhi’s comment, “How come all thieves have the common surname Modi.” This remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.
Gandhi’s counsel, in a hearing held on April 29, had argued that his client could lose his Lok Sabha seat “permanently and irreversibly” given that the offence carried a maximum punishment of two years.
The lawyer further contended that such a loss would result in “very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents.”
Earlier in May this year, the Gujarat High Court had reserved its order on Gandhi’s plea for a stay on his conviction in this defamation case.
Respect judgement, will approach SC: Congress
Soon after the Gujarat High Court denied stay on the conviction of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, the Congress said that it respects the court judgement and would approach the Supreme Court.
Speaking to media at the party headquarters in New Delhi, Congress treasurer Pawan Bansal said, “We respect the court, but we don’t agree with the judgement as according to us this is wrong.”
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter and said, “We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further.”
Speaking to IANS, Indian Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV said, “Truth can be troubled but cannot be defeated. We have trust in the Supreme Court as everyone knows why such a thing (conviction) has happened. Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue of Adani Group and Rs 20,000 crore in shell companies. We have trust in the Supreme Court.”
The remarks of the Congress leaders came after the Gujarat High Court upheld the Sessions Court’s order denying stay on conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case against ‘Modi surname’ remark.
Hundreds of Congress workers assembled at the Congress headquarters here and raised slogans against the BJP government at the Centre. Extra security was deployed at the Congress headquarters. — IANS
