SC restores Rahul Gandhi's MP status, stays conviction in 'Modi surname' case

Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a criminal defamation case stemming from his remark about the "Modi surname" was stayed by the Supreme Court on Friday, restoring his position as a member of Parliament.

Supreme Court in an interim order stays the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the criminal defamation case over 'Modi surname' remark pic.twitter.com/BOPuCmYhXz

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2023

Supreme Court while granting relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says ramifications of the trial court’s order are wide. Not only was Gandhi’s right to continue in public life affected but also that of the electorate who elected him, says Supreme Court.

"There is no doubt that utterances are not in good taste, person in public life is expected to exercise caution while making public speeches, says Supreme Court. As observed by this court while accepting his affidavit in the contempt petition, he (Rahul Gandhi) ought to have been more careful."

Supreme Court says no reason has been given by trial court judge for imposing maximum sentence, order of conviction needs to be stayed pending final adjudication.

"It's a happy day...I will write and speak to Lok Sabha Speaker today itself," says Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury after Supreme Court stayed conviction of Rahul Gandhi in Modi surname remark case.

#WATCH | "It's a happy day...I will write and speak to Lok Sabha Speaker today itself," says Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury after Supreme Court stayed conviction of Rahul Gandhi in Modi surname remark case. pic.twitter.com/ePhhcuCqXW

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2023

What is the 'Modi surname' defamation case about?
Gandhi's comment, "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019, led Purnesh Modi, a former minister in the Gujarat government, to file a criminal defamation lawsuit against Gandhi in 2019.