New Delhi, April 20 (KNS): A Surat court on Thursday dismissed the request by Rahul Gandhi to stay his conviction in the 2019 criminal defamation case on the 'Modi surname' remark.
Rahul Gandhi will now have to appeal in Gujarat High Court or Supreme Court against the Surat court's order.
Earlier, on April 3, the Surat Sessions Court granted bail to the Congress leader, who had filed an appeal following his conviction in the case.
While granting bail to Rahul Gandhi, the court also issued notices to complainant Purnesh Modi and the state government on the Congress leader's plea for a stay on his conviction.
The case pertains to a remark Rahul Gandhi made using the surname 'Modi' while addressing a campaign event ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
Following his conviction, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as MP on March 24, as per a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Under the ruling, any MP or MLA is automatically disqualified if convicted and sentenced to two years or more. (KNS)