Modi surname defamation case: Relief for Rahul Gandhi, Patna HC stays lower court's order

The Patna High Court granted relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case filed against him by BJP MP Sushil Modi for his ‘Modi-surname’ remark. The lower court had ordered Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on April 12, but the high court stayed the order and scheduled the next hearing for May 15.

Matter already under trial in Surat court, says Rahul Gandhi's legal team

Rahul Gandhi’s legal team submitted in the high court that the same matter was already under trial in Surat court, and hence there cannot be another trial in a different court in the same matter. The high court accepted the plea and granted relief to the Congress leader, stating that he would not have to appear in the lower court in Patna.

BJP MP accused Rahul Gandhi of hurting community's sentiments

The defamation case was filed by BJP MP Sushil Modi, who accused Rahul Gandhi of hurting the sentiments of a community through his ‘irresponsible’ remarks. In March, a court in Surat convicted Rahul Gandhi for two years in the same case, resulting in his disqualification from Lok Sabha, where he represented the Wayanad constituency of Kerala.

Sessions court dismissed appeal filed against order

The appeal filed against the order was dismissed by the Sessions court in Surat, which stated that if the accused is given lesser punishment, it will send a wrong message to the public and the purpose of defamation law will not be fulfilled, and slandering will become easy.

Rahul Gandhi vacates official residence, affirms readiness to pay any price

After his disqualification, Rahul Gandhi vacated his official residence in Delhi and stated that he was paying the price for speaking the truth, and affirmed that he was ready to pay any price.

The Patna High Court's stay order provides temporary relief to Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case. However, the case is still ongoing in the Surat court, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 15.