In a recent development, a Surat Court, Gujarat has convicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a 2019 defamation case for his controversial statement linking the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with fugitives like Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi. Gandhi’s remark “all thieves have Modi surname” was deemed defamatory and he was sentenced to two years in jail.
However, the trial court granted him bail, and the sentence remains suspended, allowing him to file an appeal. This case was filed by Purnesh Modi, who claimed that Gandhi’s statement defamed all persons with the ‘Modi’ surname.
The Gujarat High Court recently lifted the stay on the trial in this case, and the trial court has now handed down its verdict. This development raises questions about the limits of political speech and highlights the importance of exercising caution when making public statements. It also underscores the need for leaders to be accountable for their words and actions.
