New Delhi : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a Surat court on Thursday which sentenced him to 2 years in jail in a criminal 2019 defamation case over his alleged Modi surname remark. The court also granted him bail after paying a bail bond of ₹10,000, and suspendes its order for a period of 30 days so the Wayanad M.P can appeal in a higher court.
Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer argued that the proceeding was flawed from the beginning as the proper legal procedure under Section 202 of the CrPC was not followed.  Mr. Gandhi’s lawyer also told court that PM Narendra Modi should have been the complainant in the case as as Purnesh Modi was not the target of Rahul Gandhi’s speech.
The case against Rahul Gandhi was filed under Indian Penal Code Sections 499 and 500, on a complaint lodged by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for Modi Surname remarks. As per Indian Penal Code under Sections 499 and 500, a punishment with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
During a rally in 2019, Rahul Gandhi allegedly remarked, “how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname”.Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi in their names.
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacts to Rahul Gandhi’s conviction
Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh baghel said that there is an attempt to suppress the media, there is an attempt to influence the judiciary & they are taking action against the people of different political parties at this level
“My brother has never been afraid, nor will he ever be. Have lived speaking the truth, will continue to speak the truth. Will continue to raise the voice of the people of the country,” tweets Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after Rahul Gandhi was found guilty in the criminal defamation case.