The Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday, challenging the Gujarat high court’s order that convicted him in a criminal defamation case. A bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and PK Mishra is scheduled to preside over the petition. Rahul Gandhi filed the appeal on July 15, precisely a week after the Gujarat high court dealt a significant blow to his efforts to revive his Lok Sabha membership. The high court had ruled that the Congress leader had “breached modesty” and committed an offense involving “moral turpitude.”
The criminal defamation case was initiated by BJP leader Purnesh Modi, who has already filed a caveat in the top court. This move ensures that no orders will be passed in Gandhi’s appeal without first hearing Modi’s side of the case. The roots of the case trace back to March 23 when a Gujarat magisterial court convicted Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the ‘Modi’ surname, following a criminal complaint filed by Purnesh Modi.
The court sentenced the Congress leader to two years’ imprisonment, leading to his disqualification as a Member of Parliament under the Representation of People Act. Now, the appeal before the Supreme Court seeks to challenge the Gujarat high court’s decision, attempting to overturn the conviction and pave the way for Rahul Gandhi’s potential requalification as an MP.
The apex court’s verdict will be closely watched by political circles as it has far-reaching implications for both Rahul Gandhi’s political career and the broader landscape of criminal defamation laws in the country. As the legal battle unfolds, the country waits with bated breath to see how the highest judicial authority in India will rule on this high-profile case. The outcome could shape the contours of free speech, defamation, and political discourse in the nation’s democratic framework.