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Some respite for Rahul: Surat court grants bail, puts jail term on hold

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A Surat court on Monday granted bail to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case over his 2019 remark about the surname Modi.

What does this order mean to Rahul?

The court while accepting Rahul Gandhi's application, has suspended his two-year jail term until the conclusion of the hearings. The next date of hearing would be on April 13. As a result of this, Rahul Gandhi cannot be arrested in connection with this case.

Following his conviction, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of the Lok Sabha. The disqualification would remain in force as the court has not stayed his conviction. The Representation of People Act says that a member stands disqualified in the event of his conviction in a criminal case, where the jail term awarded is 2 years or more.

Rahul Gandhi granted bail, sentencing put on hold
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waves at supporters as he leaves from Surat District Court after filing an appeal challenging his conviction and sentencing in the 2019 criminal defamation case. (Photo credit: PTI)

Gandhi was on March 24 disqualified from the Lok Sabha following his conviction by the Surat court in the case. Following his disqualification, the former Congress chief would not be able to contest elections for eight years unless a higher court stays his conviction and sentence.

The case was filed against Gandhi on a complaint of BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for the Congress leader's alleged remarks "how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" Gandhi, who had served as an MP from Wayanad in Kerala, made the remarks while addressing a rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019, during the Lok Sabha elections campaign.

Soon after a Surat court granted bail to Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case, the Congress leader on Monday said this is a fight against "Mitrkaal" to save democracy and the truth is his weapon in this struggle.

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    Minutes after the hearing on Monday, Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, "This is a fight against 'Mitrkaal' to save democracy. In this struggle, truth is my weapon, and truth is my support!"

    Gandhi has been taking the 'Mitrakaal' jibe at the central government, accusing it of working to benefit its "crony capitalist friends".

    The 52-year-old Congress leader reached Surat this afternoon via a scheduled commercial flight along with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and proceeded to the sessions court to file an appeal against the ruling of the lower court.

    Get latest updates about the case:

    Apr 03, 2023, 3:38 PM IST

    What it means for Rahul?

    The Court has granted bail till April 13, so his two-year jail stands suspended now till the court decides on his appeal. It means the court has admitted to hear his application. Till the conclusion of the court hearing, the sentence remains suspended.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:31 PM IST

    Amid Rahul Gandhi Zindabad chants, Rahul walks out of court in the same bus loaded with Congress leaders.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:30 PM IST

    No stay on Rahul's conviction.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:27 PM IST

    A 15-minute appearance in court becomes a show of strength.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:26 PM IST

    Rahul walks out of the court.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:22 PM IST

    Rahul Gandhi has got protection from arrest till April 13.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:19 PM IST

    The Surat has accepted Rahul's application and advocates say that there is a stay on his conviction.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:16 PM IST

    Next hearing is on May 13.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:14 PM IST

    Rahul Gandhi has been granted bail by Sessions Court, according to India Today.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:08 PM IST

    Heavy security has been deployed outside the Surat court.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:05 PM IST

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by senior Congress leaders and CMs lands at Surat District and Sessions Court.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:03 PM IST

    If the conviction is suspended, he becomes MP again.
    Apr 03, 2023, 3:03 PM IST

    Rahul has sought suspension of sentence and then suspension of conviction.
    Apr 03, 2023, 2:50 PM IST

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by senior Congress leaders and CMs arrive in Surat.
    Apr 03, 2023, 2:26 PM IST

    Gujarat Congress workers gather outside Surat court to support Rahul Gandhi.
    Apr 03, 2023, 2:20 PM IST

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has landed in Surat.
    Apr 03, 2023, 2:07 PM IST

    The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a Lok Sabha member would be a campaign issue for the Congress in the Assembly elections in Karnataka and it would contribute to the defeat of the BJP government in the state, senior party leader M Veerappa Moily said.
    Apr 03, 2023, 1:52 PM IST

    Congress workers and leaders protest in Coimbatore against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP.
    Apr 03, 2023, 1:50 PM IST

    We trust the judiciary. We are here to show our unity. We are doing 'satyagraha' to save the country. The country is seeing how Indira Gandhi's grandson and Rajiv Gandhi's son, Rahul Gandhi is being treated today: Congress leader & Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in Surat.
    Apr 03, 2023, 1:37 PM IST

    We don’t want any advice from BJP leaders. Rahul Gandhi is our leader, a national leader. We know what to do. Congress party stands by him, the entire nation, party workers are in unity with him, and we will stand like a rock: DK Shivakumar, Karnataka Congress President
    Apr 03, 2023, 1:19 PM IST

    "The undemocratic face of BJP is being exposed again and again," Ramesh said.
    Apr 03, 2023, 1:12 PM IST

    "There are continuous reports of illegal arrests by the BJP government in Gujarat to prevent Congress leaders and workers from going to Surat," Jairam Ramesh tweeted.
    Apr 03, 2023, 1:11 PM IST

    The Congress alleges that "illegal arrests" were being made to prevent party leaders and workers from going to Surat.
    Apr 03, 2023, 12:38 PM IST

    Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra onboard.
    Apr 03, 2023, 12:16 PM IST

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi inside IndiGo bus to further board the flight to Surat. Several other senior Congress leaders accompanying him.
    Apr 03, 2023, 12:04 PM IST

    According to PTI sources, Rahul Gandhi is expected to reach court at around 3 pm.
    Apr 03, 2023, 11:56 AM IST

    Gujarat: Given the presence of Rahul Gandhi in Surat district court the Surat city police have deployed the police force wherever there is a possibility of movement. We will also be starting frisking & checking: Sagar Bagmar, DCP Zone-4 Surat.
    Apr 03, 2023, 11:50 AM IST

    India won't tolerate the insult of backwards...Earlier, PV Narasimha Rao, P Chidambaram, DK Shivakumar went to jail too, how many Congress people went with them, is one family bigger than the country?: Anurag Thakur
    Apr 03, 2023, 11:46 AM IST

    Congress party workers gather outside District and Sessions Court in Surat in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
    Apr 03, 2023, 11:40 AM IST

    They (Congress) are doing a drama to threaten the judiciary. I condemn it. If a court has convicted somebody, then the drama is basically about pressuring. Congress party considers a family above the country...: Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju
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