Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, was released on bail by the Surat Sessions Court on charges of defamation on Monday, although an appeal hearing to have his sentence suspended is due to take place on April 13.
Gandhi appealed to the Surat court on Monday, challenging a conviction in a defamation case over his remarks on the ‘Modi surname’ remarks. Two motions were attached to the appeal, the first for a stay of execution of the sentence and one for a stay of execution.
Gandhi was sentenced to two years in prison by a lower court in a case of defamation of BJP MP Purnesh Modi. The complainant contested Rahul’s statements about “why all thieves share Modi surname.” Gandhi made the remarks during a rally in Karnataka in 2019.
According to the media report, Gandhi was granted bail of Rs 15,000 which was granted pending the appeal period. The lower court gave him 30 days to appeal.
After conviction by a lower court, Gandhi was disqualified as an MP. He represented Wayanad in Kerala.
(With inputs from agencies)
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