SC to hear Rahul Gandhi appeal against ‘Modi surname’ defamation case on July 21

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on July 21 the plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenging the Gujarat High Court’s order in the ‘Modi surname’ criminal defamation case.

The apex court is scheduled to hear Rahul Gandhi’s plea challenging the High Court order – which declined to stay his conviction in the case – in the case titled ‘Purnesh Ishvarbhai Modi vs Rahul Gandhi’.

BJP MLA Purnesh Modi had filed a case of criminal defamation against Rahul Gandhi after the latter remarked “How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?” during an election rally. The Congress leader was convicted by a Magistrate court in Gujarat’s Surat on March 23, which led to his disqualification as an MP.

Gandhi had filed an appeal in a Surat sessions court, which rejected the same. He then approached the Gujarat High Court, who concurred with the lower court’s judgement and dismissed the plea, calling for ‘purity in politics’.

‘Throttling of free speech’ if judgement not stayed: Rahul Gandhi in appeal to SC

Rahul Gandhi approached the Supreme Court on Saturday, asking for a stay in conviction. In his appeal before the Supreme Court, filed on July 15, the former Wayanad MP said if the judgement is not stayed, it would lead to the throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement.

“It would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India,” Gandhi said in his appeal.

“Such a finding is gravely detrimental to democratic free speech in the midst of a political campaign. It is respectfully submitted that the same will set a disastrous precedent wiping out any form of political dialogue or debate which is remotely critical in any manner,” he added.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Gandhi, asked the Supreme Court bench – comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra – to put the case for urgent listing. Singhvi asked for the appeal to be listed for either July 21 or July 24. The CJI listed the matter for July 21.