India Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi Appeals Against Conviction In Modi Surname Case
NEW DELHI, April 4 (Bernama) -- Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday appealed against his recent conviction for defamation, which led to his losing his parliament seat.
Rahul travelled to Gujarat state's Surat city to appeal against his sentencing.
The court granted him bail and will hear his petition on April 13, local media reported.
Rahul, who belongs to the Congress party, was given a two-year prison sentence last month for a speech in 2019 in which he wondered how come "all thieves have Modi as the common surname".
In his remarks he had referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fugitive diamond tycoon Nirav Modi and former Indian Premier League (IPL) boss Lalit Modi.
The case against Rahul was filed by a Gujarat state lawmaker belonging to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The 52-year-old politician's parliament membership was terminated and he has been asked to vacate his official house in New Delhi's high security zone following the conviction.
With national elections in India due next year, the stakes are high for the Congress party in the defamation case.
Rahul is a fierce critic of the BJP government and seen as a potential challenger to Modi.
-- BERNAMA
